Published yesterday (updated) 13/03/2010 20:02

Bethlehem – Ma'an –

Nabil Sha'th, Fat'h Central Committee member, said Saturday he does not expect US Middle East envoy George Mitchell to return with guarantees that Israel will revoke its decision to expand an East Jerusalem illegal settlement.

"I doubt there will be any written guarantees and they will try to urge us to return to negotiations, as always," Sha'ath said in an interview with Ma'an.

"Even though the US is disturbed by Israel's recent decision which coincided with the visit of Obama’s deputy, they did not take any measures that would guarantee not to repeat the same situation.

"The Israeli announcement to halt settlements in the West Bank for 10 months was a deception," Sha'ath said, pointing out that Palestinians have entered negotiations with Israel over 18 years, during which time the Israeli government failed consistently to halt settlement growth and construction.

Sha'ath's remarks follow comments made by the President Mahmoud Abbas' office on Saturday, expressing their hope that Mitchell would return with assurances that Israel will not commit to building 1,600 new homes in an East Jerusalem settlement.

Secretary-General of the president's office At-Tayyib Abdul Rahim said Palestinian negotiators await a response from the American administration, after requests that Israel revokes its decision before proximity talks proceed.

Hamas-Fatah reconciliation

Sha'ath added that national reconciliation between rivaling factions Fatah and Hamas would not be brought before the Arab League summit in Libya this month, saying "the file will not leave Egypt."

According to the Central Committee member, Hamas failed to ratify the Egyptian-sponsored unity deal fearing "retaliation and revenge," the outcome of elections, wishing to reconstruct the coastal enclave before Palestinians take to the poll and Hamas affiliates abroad unwilling to sign the document. Sha'ath said this was in spite of a strong desire in Gaza for reconciliation to be achieved.

Hamas has reiterated that the document will not be ratified until the movement's amendments are incorporated into the agreement, asserting that the deal's terms had been changed without consultation. Fatah has accused the Islamist movement of delaying the deal's execution, in turn postponing general elections, alleging that Hamas fears the outcome of presidential and general elections.