Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — A leading U.S. ally in North Africa has hosted two
Palestinian groups deemed terrorist by the State Department.

Tunisia has welcomed a joint delegation from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. On
April 4, the delegation met President Moncef Marzouki, who urged the two
organizations to unify the Palestinian movement.

“They [internal divisions] represent, henceforth, a burden for the
struggle by the Palestinian people,” Marzouki said.

Over the last year, Tunisia, which ousted its pro-Western president in
2011, has hosted Hamas, including Gazan Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. But this was believed to be the first time the Tunisian government invited
Islamic Jihad, sponsored by Iran.

“President Marzouki voiced Tunisia’s readiness to play an active role
in the reconciliation between Palestinians,” a presidential statement said.

For its part, the Hamas-Jihad delegation said it was encouraged by the
Islamist government that emerged after the ouster of President Zine Abedin Bin Ali. The delegation said Palestinians “expressed their sincere wishes
for the success of Tunisia in its democratic process.”

There was no immediate response by the administration of U.S. President
Barack Obama to the Hamas-Jihad visit to Tunisia. The administration has
approved advanced military platforms to Tunisia, including the C-130J air
transport.

The Hamas-Jihad visit came amid a security alert by Tunisia to the
rising threat of the Salafist movement. On April 4, a Salafist cleric
expelled from Egypt arrived in Tunis to a massive welcome by supporters.

  Islamic Jihad, Ismail Haniyeh, Moncef Marzouki, Salafists, Tunisia hosts officials from Hamas