Russia diplomat, Hamas political chief discuss Palestine national unity

MOSCOW, May 5 (Itar-Tass) - Russian presidential special envoy in the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Chairman of Palestinian militant group Hamas political bureau Khaled Meshaal discussed tasks of ensuring national unity of Palestinians in view of a reconciliation deal which rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas had reached recently, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Monday. “Talks focused on the inter-Palestinian agreement reached recently to ensure national unity,” the Russian diplomatic agency said, adding that “Meanwhile, Russia confirmed support to forthcoming formation of a united government headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his statement made on April 26 that a government will adhere to principles of Israel’s recognition, adherence to international commitments and agreements taken earlier and refusal from violence.” Negotiators also noted that restoration of unity in Palestine on a political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Arab peace initiative “meets interests of a just and firm Palestinian-Israeli settlement with a final goal to fulfil national expectations of Palestinian people to create an independent, viable, territorially integrated and sovereign country living in peace and security with Israel.” In talks on current situation in the Middle and Near East, particularly Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and over Iran Bogdanov and Meshaal noted the need to seek for solutions to regional problems by Arab and Muslim peoples “through a broad dialogue without external dictat according to fundamental provisions of international law and the UN Charter.” The meeting was held during Bogdanov’s working trip to Qatar at the Russian Embassy in Doha. Learn more on itar-tass.com