Egypt to help secure Gaza

2004-08-09 17:03

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Cairo - Saying it will continue fighting as long as Israel continues its occupation of Palestinian territories, the Palestinian militant group Hamas played down reports that its leadership struck a deal with Egypt on maintaining security following Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza.

Egypt's semi-official Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Monday that Egypt has reached an agreement with Hamas on guaranteeing Palestinian unity and security following any Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories.

The Gaza Strip has seen escalating Palestinian-on-Palestinian violence in recent week, raising fears of a power struggle if Israel withdraws. Egypt is working with the Israelis and the Palestinians on a post-withdrawal security plan for the strip, which borders Egypt.

"We have not agreed, neither have we disagreed. We are only in a dialogue," Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan said from Lebanon. "We made no promises and we want to see the occupation end first."

Seeking pledges

A Hamas delegation led by Khaled Mashaal, the movement's chief political officer, held talks last week in Cairo with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman. Egyptian and Palestinian officials said Suleiman had briefed the Hamas delegation on his recent contacts with Palestinians and Israelis and on Egyptian plans to help secure Gaza after a proposed unilateral Israeli withdrawal. Separately, a delegation from Fatah, Yasser Arafta's mainstream movement led by Rauhi Fattouh, speaker of the Palestinian parliament, was in Cairo for similar talks.

Egypt is believed to be seeking pledges from all Palestinian factions to work for calm in Gaza following the expected Israeli withdrawal from the strip. It also has urged Arafat to reform the Palestinian security forces and appoint a new interior minister as a prerequisite to its offer to train Palestinian police in preparation for the withdrawal.

Cairo plans a new round of talks between Palestinian factions next month.

Hamdan said Hamas is not ready to make any deal on its military strategy against Israel.

Other Palestinian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hamas has turned down several Egyptian proposals including joining the Palestinian Authority and taking part in securing Gaza following the Israeli withdrawal.

Hamdan said the movement is not considering joining the Palestinian Authority.

Al-Ahram also said it had learned that an agreement in principle had been reached between Israel and Egypt by which Egyptian border guards instead of police would patrol their country's border with Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans a unilateral withdrawal from all of Gaza, now home to 7 500 Israeli settlers and 1,3 million Palestinians. The pullout is not expected to happen for months. - AP

- SAPA