The Islamic movement, based in Damascus, said it had no plans to leave
Syria amid the revolt against the regime of President Bashar Assad. Hamas
said it was still operating in Damascus and was not looking for another
haven.
Earlier, Arab media reports said the Iranian-supported Hamas had
contacted several Middle East states regarding relocation. They said Egypt
and Jordan denied Hamas requests, but Qatar agreed to host the Islamic
insurgency group.
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"The stories spread by media are baseless," Hamas political bureau
member Izzat Rashek said. "There is no change in the status of the movement
in Damascus."
The Saudi-owned daily Al Hayat reported that Hamas plans to leave Syria
for Qatar. On May 1, Al Hayat said Qatar would host the political
leadership, including political bureau chief Khaled Masha'al, but not Hamas
military commanders. During publication, Masha'al was meeting Egyptian
leaders in Cairo.
As a result, the Hamas military command planned to relocate to the Gaza
Strip, controlled by the movement since 2007. Al Hayat did not say whether
the Palestinian Authority, whose ruling Fatah movement signed a
reconciliation deal with Hamas, approved the plan.
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