Haniyeh vows to spoil conspiracies against Egypt’s security

CAIRO – 3 October: Hamas asserted political pillars in dealing with Arab states, most notably the Egyptians, Hamas’ Chief Ismail Haniyeh said in a TV interview with satellite channel ON Live from Gaza Tuesday.

He denied Hamas’s interference in Egypt’s domestic affairs, adding that “Hamas won’t harbor or assist any person or entity that seeks to harm Egyptian national security,” in reference to the Muslim Brotherhood group that was banned in Egypt, and listed as a terrorist organization in December 2013.

“Hamas is not a regional extension of any organization outside the Palestinian border,” Haniyeh stressed. He also manifested that Hamas is a national liberation movement that only seeks to restore the Palestinian territory.

“Egyptian national security is so important for stability and order in the Middle East and directly contributes to solving the Palestinian cause,” Hamas leader asserted.

Hamas will aid Egyptian security apparatuses in spoiling any conspiracy against Egypt’s security order, Haniyeh vowed.

Regarding the armament of Hamas’s military wing, Haniyeh stressed that the weapon’s issue will be on the table for discussion with the Consensus Government, same as “war and peace decisions,” as they must be discussed with Fatah, for consensus to be reached.

Hamas’ movement had announced on September 17 the dissolution of the administrative committee at the Gaza Strip, inviting the Government of National Reconciliation to assume its duties and hold general elections. The movement affirmed it would comply with the Social Reconciliation Accord signed in 2011.

The Consensus Government convenes in Gaza for the first time since 2014 on Tuesday. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah headed the first cabinet meeting as the first actual procedure to assume administration of Gaza following the dissolution of the administrative committee that used to run Gaza’s affairs by Hamas Movement.

Cairo sponsored the Palestinian reconciliation talks over the last 11 years, which finally resulted in the latest unity initiative, following frequent failures.