Special to WorldTribune.com
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is seeking improved relations and trade with Iran and is also looking to Teheran for assistance in ending the PA’s ongoing dispute with Hamas.
Ahmad Majdalani, a senior PA official, acknowledged the push for strengthened ties with Iran on Aug. 9 after meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Teheran.
Majdalani also said he discussed with Zarif the ongoing tension between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas and relayed the hope that Teheran would use its influence to end the dispute.
The trip to Iran by the PA official came amid reports that Teheran had cancelled a planned visit by Hamas leader Khaled Masha’al.
Iran is said to be angered by the recent renewal of ties between Hamas and Saudi Arabia which included a visit to Riyadh by Masha’al who held talks with King Salman and other government officials.
A representative for Hamas downplayed the reports and added that meetings between Iranian and Hamas officials have been continuing at various levels inside Iran and other countries.
Majdalani said he also presented a letter from Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to Iranian President Hassan Rowhani. He said that the letter from Abbas deals with the current situation in the Palestinian territories and “Israeli assaults against our people and their holy sites, as well as bilateral relations between the two sides.”
The senior PA official also discussed the recent nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Top Palestinian in Iran trip seeks to exploit anger at Hamas-Saudi ties added by World Tribune on
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