Al-Hayya: Hamas is committed to Doha deal

Khalil Al-Hayya a member of Hamas's political bureau Gaza – Mohammed Habib A senior Hamas official said on Monday that the Palestinian party was committed to the Doha Declaration while adding that the situation was inappropriate for elections. Khalil Al-Hayya a member of Hamas's political bureau for the Gaza Strip also stated there were some “legal” issues that must be dealt with before the reconciliation deal can be implemented. Al-Hayya spoke about the Doha Declaration in the wake of inflammatory comments issued by another senior Hamas figure, Mahmoud Al-Zahar. Al-Zahar, speaking to official Egyptian media, described the Doha Declaration as a “mistake”, saying it needed to be revised. Al-Hayya attempted to play down Al-Zahar’s comments, stressing that Hamas was committed to the reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Al-Hayya said that the West Bank and Gaza were not ready for elections. He denied that the unity government - which will be headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - reflected any political views, reassuiring the the impending government would be a national unity government.
About holding the elections after forming the government, Al-Hayya said the political atmosphere in  theWest Bank was not inclinced towards Hamas, hoping to discuss the issue along with the Doha Declaration at the Cairo meeting on February 23.  
When asked by news agency Ma'an why the elections commission in Gaza had not been allowed to register voters, Al-Hayyah responded by saying that Hamas supporters in the West Bank still face multiple restrictions.
“Can Hamas supporters in the West Bank live freely and go to the polls freely? The answer is no. Further, Fatah claims its supporters in Gaza are facing similar conditions, so elections are not possible.”
Earlier this month, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal agreed in Qatar on handing the temporary leadership of the new government to Abbas.
However, several Hamas leaders, headed by Mahmoud Al-Zahar, opposed the deal, calling it illegal and in breach of the basic Palestinian law.
Al-Zahar said that the agreement was not final because Meshaal signed it without consulting with his colleagues. He added that Hamas leadership would meet "to solve his matter."
Al-Hayya also disputes President Abbas' dual role of prime minister.
"Make it lawful, as Abbas can't be president and prime minister according to the law," Al-Hayyah told Ma'an.
Al-Zahar said that Hamas also rejected the Doha deal because it violated an earlier agreement brokered by Egypt between the two sides in May 2011.
The Egyptian-brokered agreement stipulated a transitional government of independent technocrats to prepare for elections.
Hamas and Fatah failed to agree on an independent premier, and the sudden deal that was brokered under Qatari auspices was seen as a compromise to form the government and start implementing the original agreement.