Law to be adapted for Abbas

Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil, a member of the political bureau of Hamas and the head of its media bureau, confirmed that the party is waiting for the up-coming reconciliation meetings in Cairo to neutralise the agreement signed recently in Doha by the PA President Mahmoud Abbas and the head of Hamas political bureau Khaled Meshaal. He added that Hamas recently had several talks on the possibility of Abbas holding more than one position, and that it was agreed on how to adapt the law by developing a legal mechanism that would allow him to lead the interim government. Al-Bardawil explained in an exclusive interview with 'Arabstoday' that the meetings scheduled for February 23 and 24 in Cairo will be attended by all the Palestinian factions to agree on mechanisms to implement the deal. The meetings should reach a national agreement that would deliberate on a number of issues and end the arguments on the coming government's programme. Regarding Hamas' stance on Abbas' leadership of the interim government, Bardawil said that several consultations have recently taken place  on the issue,  and it was agreed to adapt the law through development of legal mechanisms that would allow the  Abbas presidency. He then explained that the matter requires the Legislative Council to meet and decide, but added that he is optimistic about reaching a consensus on this issue. About President Abbas' announcements that the next government’s programme will be the same as that  of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), he said: “It was agreed with Fatah that the coming government will be a government of specific tasks. Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, preparations for the coming elections, and re-drafting the security services,  will be top priorities.” Al-Bardawil also pointed out that the movement and many other factions refused to accept that the government's programme be the programme of  the Oslo Agreement. explaining that it would not be beneficial to have a political programme in the light of the current political deadlock and  negotiations with the Israeli occupation. Bardawil commented on Hamas' preventing the Central Elections Commission by starting from its role in the Gaza Strip, saying that “it is not feasible to implement only one part of the agreement. Moreover, Hamas is still not rercognised by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, where  there remains a state of repression, political unrest and unemployment. . It is not possible to prepare for elections in this atmosphere." He added that the situation in the West Bank was getting worse, and that dialogue concerning the release of  prisoners made by the Authority was just "a big lie" as those who were said to be released had not in fact been detained. Concerning the several visits made by the Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to a number of foreign countries,  Al-Bardawil said that the Gaza PM should hold meetings with the heads of governments, meaning that they are now aware of Hamas' strong position in the Arab world, especially after the Arab Spring. He added that a number of these states promised to carry out important development projects for the reconstruction of Gaza, which will benefit both the people and the government. On Syria, Bardawil said that  “Hamas was not pressured  nor harmed  by the Syrian situation.. However, the movement feels the pain Syrians are suffering, which is why all the meetings are held outside the country",   adding,   “This does not mean the transfer of the movement’s offices from Damascus or the departure of its leaders.”