Hamas says ready to preserve ceasefire to enhance national unity

Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) promised on Saturday that it is preparing a paper on how to consolidate mutual confidence and preserve the current ceasefire to enhance national unity.

Said Seyam, head of Hamas' parliamentary bloc, made the promise at a press conference after the group discussed with Egyptian officials causes of Palestinian infighting.

A Hamas delegation is in Cairo in recent days to hold talks with Egyptian officials as Cairo is making new round of mediation between rival Palestinian factions to seek an end to their infighting and a renewed calmness with Israel.

The delegation consisted of two groups of the movement, one from the Syrian capital Damascus and the other from the Gaza Strip, which was led by Seyam who is former Palestinian interior minister.

Seyam told the press conference that Egyptian officials have been attentive to all Palestinian factions which are expected to meet in two weeks to set mechanisms to enhance national unity and partnership.

He, however, stressed that resistance was a strategic option for the Palestinian people while the military action must be used to serve the political goal.

Meanwhile, Egypt's official MENA news agency quoted Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha as saying that Egypt had promised to help hammer out an agreement and monitor any violations, while asking

Palestinian factions to outline a mechanism to consolidate Hamas- Fatah ceasefire and put the Palestinian house in order.

The Egyptian side will present on June 10 a working paper on a comprehensive vision to put the Palestinian house in order, restructure the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in addition to the issue of holding an international conference to back the Palestinian cause, he added.

Egypt had already held talks with another Palestinian mainstream movement of Fatah led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

Following meetings with Fatah and Hamas delegations, Egyptian officials will hold talks with other Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, the Popular Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Egypt aimed to use these meetings to "close the Palestinian ranks, halt infighting and reach a ceasefire with Israel," said MENA.

Source: Xinhua