Hamas rejects a multinational Arab force in the Gaza Strip

[ 20/06/2008 - 07:48 PM ]

DAMASCUS, (PIC)--

Hamas has renewed its rejection of the idea of deployment of  a multinational Arab forces to the Gaza Strip as a final phase of the truce with the Israeli occupation.

In statement he made to Quds Press news agency, Ezzat Al-Resheq, member of Hamas's political bureau, called for talks between Hamas and Fatah to end the internal rift and to agree on the rebuilding of the PA security on professional basis rather than factional basis and for that to happen there is no need for a multinational Arab force to be sent to the Gaza Strip.

He added that those who promote such an idea do not aim to help the Palestinian people to liberate their land, but they want to return Mahmoud Abbas and his security to control the Gaza Strip under Arab protection; "This will not do, the only way forward is inter-Palestinian dialogue."

Resheq also expressed doubts that the idea enjoys Arab unanimity anyway because there are no benefits to gain from such a step and will harm the reputation of Arab states because no one needs an Arab force that will be inciting one side against the other, "but what we need is an Arab force to help us against the occupation."

The Jerusalem Post published on Thursday a report which says the idea was discussed in meetings between Israeli and Egyptian officials, but while Israel is not totally opposed to the idea as it might help bring back Fatah to power in the Gaza Strip, the paper said, the defence establishment is skeptical as it would limit its power to pursue Palestinian freedom fighters just in case members of the multinational force get harmed in the process.