BICOM

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Cairo today, in order to discuss the implementation of the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, reached in May. There was little optimism on either side, however, regarding the imminent implementation of the deal. Mahmoud al-Zahar, foreign minister in the Hamas government in Gaza, described the scheduled talks between the two leaders as a ‘protocol meeting’ that would initiate a subsequent process of dialogue between Fatah and Hamas on the details of the agreement. Hamas spokesmen have made clear that the movement does not intend to alter its position toward Israel, in the event that a unity government is formed. Hamas also objects to current PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad continuing in his post.

John Gatt-Rutter, acting EU representative to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and UNRWA, meanwhile, said EU cooperation with a Fatah-Hamas unity government would only continue if Hamas altered its position on Israel. He said “Should a new government be formed we would only be able to engage with it if certain conditions are met.” Gatt-Rutter is referring to the international demands, laid down by the Quartet, that Hamas recognise Israel, renounce violence and abide by previous agreements between the two sides.