Iran ready to host dialogue between rival Palestinian groups: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN,Sep.1(MNA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran is ready to host negotiations between the rival Palestinian groups, a reference to difference between the Gaza based Hamas and the Fatah group in the West Bank. Ahmadinejad made the remarks on Thursday in a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who has come to Tehran to participate in the Non-Aligned Movement summit. “We will warmly welcome you in Iran whenever you and our other Palestinian brothers are ready to sit for talks with each other, and lay the groundwork for harmony and unity between all Palestinian groups,” Ahmadinejad said. Differences among Palestinian groups are counterproductive, Ahmadinejad said, adding that the Islamic Republic is a strong advocate of unity among Palestinians, because in such circumstances “their chances of liberating their lands (from Israeli occupation) will become much higher.” The president called the Palestinian issue the most important and complicated matter in the region. “Today, Palestine is the most important regional issue which has even got international importance and the whole world is somehow involved in the issue.” Ahmadinejad said since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has been expressing its principled stance toward the Palestine issue persistently and unequivocally. He went on to say that all the pressure on Iran since the Islamic Revolution has been because of its unwavering support for Palestine. For his part, Abbas told Ahmadinejad that he was happy that he visited Iran and “found the opportunity to talk to you face to face.” “To guard the Palestinian identity”, Abbas said, “we are in talks with our brothers in Gaza in order to reach a consensus on a political plan for unity.” He added he is fully aware of the importance of Palestinian unity because it is the Zionist regime which will benefit the most from differences between Palestinians and therefore “we will announce our readiness for a resumption of talks with our brothers in Gaza.”