Fatah refuses to authorise Saudi Arabia to mediate reconciliation with Hamas

Palestinian Authority (PA) leader Mahmoud Abbas has refused to authorise Saudi Arabia to mediate the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, an informed source told Palestinian newspaper Al-Resalah on Sunday.

During a recent visit made by Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal to Saudi Arabia to meet King Salman, the Saudi crown prince and defence minister, Saudi Arabia asked for a written authorisation from both Hamas and Fatah to mediate reconciliation between the two sides.

According to the source, Hamas gave an official authorisation to Saud Arabia through Meshaal and his aides but Abbas has refused to make the same step.

Previously, Fatah leaders refused new Saudi mediation to end the division with Hamas, claiming this would substitute the Egyptian role.

The head of Fatah parliamentary bloc Azzam Al-Ahmad expressed his movement’s refusal of any Saudi interference in the Fatah-Hamas division.

Meanwhile, Hamas is eager to have Saudi Arabia mediate with a number of other countries in order for them to bear witness to any deal with Fatah so that they can clearly name the side that retreats from the deal.

Saudi writer Jamal Khasheqji described Meshaal’s visit to Saudi Arabia as “fruitful” and “successful”.

Speaking with Meshaal in the wake of the meeting with the Saudi King, Khasheqji reiterated that Hamas supports an Arabic-Islamic project under Saudi leadership. He did not give details about this project.

Hamas deputy chief Ismail Haniyeh and chief of international relation Osama Hamdan said that the visit to Saudi Arabia was “successful”.