Fatah condemns Qatar as ‘divisive’

A leading figure in the Palestinian organisation Fatah has accused Qatar of worsening the deteriorating relations with rival group Hamas. The news come after the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, announced plans to hold Palestinian peace talks in Egypt, inviting a number of Arab states to participate. Mahmoud Aloul, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, accused the oil-rich gulf state of “trying to exacerbate the split between Fatah and Hamas.” In a statement released on Monday, Aloul said that Fatah has “persistently” contacted Hamas, in abid to secure a reconciliation agreement. However, Hamas has been slow in responding, said the Fatah official. “After the Central Election Commission finishes its work and announces it is ready, a number of important steps will need to be implemented,” said Aloul, referring to the need for Hamas and Fatah to reach a decision on upcoming elections. He added that certain statements made by Hamas leaders in recent week have increasing tensions between the two groups. "These statements clearly demonstrate that Hamas has no desire to end the division and achieve reconciliation,” Aloul said. However, Aloul insisted that Fatah “will spare no effort” in continuing to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.