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Fatah-Hamas near deal on prisoners
GAZA CITY - Hamas and Fatah are close to resolving their differences on the issue of political prisoners from the two rival movements, a senior Fatah envoy visiting Gaza said on Sunday.Nabil Shaath, a Palestinian negotiator, has been holding talks with Hamas officials in Gaza, discussing details of a surprise reconciliation deal signed by the long-time rivals last month. On Sunday, after talks with Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya, Shaath reiterated Fatahs commitment to the reconciliation process and said one of the thorniest issues, that of political prisoners, was nearly resolved. Hamas and Fatah have routinely arrested each others members, with each side accusing the other of mistreatment and arbitrary detention. We hope they're both right. The reconciliation deal calls for the release of all political prisoners from the two sides, and Shaath said political arrests had already been halted. He said he expected the two groups would close the political arrests file soon. There is full agreement on that, he said. The number of prisoners remaining in detention has shrunk and the file will be closed in upcoming days in accordance with the (unity) agreement, Shaath said. He gave no details about any planned prisoner releases. "I will say no more, as I value my life!" The reconciliation deal signed by the two parties aims to end years of bitter rivalry that boiled over in 2007, a year after Hamas won a surprise victory in legislative elections, culminating in street battles between the two groups in Gaza. Hamas routed Fatah, seizing control of the Gaza Strip and leaving Abbass party to run a parallel government unable to extend control beyond the West Bank. The unity deal calls for follow-up committees to examine issues including the integration of the movements rival security forces, and mandates legislative and presidential elections within a year. In the interim, the two sides are to agree a transitional government of independents, which has yet to be announced.
Posted by: Steve White 2011-05-30 |
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