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Hamas delegation arrives in Russia

July 16, 2019 at 2:56 pm

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (foreground-C) meets with Fatah member Azzam al-Ahmed (Backround 3-R) Mussa Abu Marzuk of Hamas (Background 3-L) , and Maher al-Taher (Background 2-L) of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and other members of the Palestinian delegation during their meeting in Moscow on 23 May 2011 [ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images]

A high-level delegation from Hamas yesterday arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow.

Member of Hamas’ political bureau, Hossam Badran, said in a statement that the delegation is headed by senior Hamas official, Mousa Abu Marzouk, adding that the visit to Moscow aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the movement and the Russian government and has nothing to do with the intra-Palestinian reconciliation file.

News reports revealed last week that Egypt rejected a request by Hamas to allow the head of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, to head the delegation and travel to Iran, Turkey and Qatar.

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed quoted a Hamas source as saying: “It is clear that Egypt completely object to Haniyeh’s foreign tour, in protest against the countries which he will visit.”

READ: Can Egypt, Russia bring about Palestinian reconciliation?