Hamdan, based in Lebanon, said Western countries were realizing that
Hamas was an authentic Islamic movement, Middle East Newsline reported. He cited the revolutions in Egypt
and Tunisia, in which the Muslim Brotherhood played a leading role.
"We believe that the popular revolutions come in the context of
liberating the [Arabs and Muslims] from dependency," Hamdan said.
"The people seeking liberation realize the magnitude of the challenges."
The statement came amid a Hamas campaign to project a moderate image in
the West. Hamas leaders, including Khaled Masha'al, have been interviewed in
leading European and American publications on the movement and its goals.
"Our policy, as a movement, is that we have never behaved in a way that
leads to more problems in the Arab world," Hamdan said in May. "Hamas'
positions have been responsible and keen to serve the interests of the
[Arabs and
Muslims]. No one can doubt that."
Hamas has been under severe pressure to re-locate from Syria amid the
Arab revolt. The Palestinian movement, with headquarters in Damascus for
nearly the last 20 years, has refrained from supporting the revolt against
President Bashar Assad.
Despite its image campaign, Hamdan refused to point to any achievements
by Hamas. He said the movement was waiting for decisions by Western
governments to legitimize Hamas, currently on the list of terrorist
organizations compiled by the EU and the United States.
"But I believe it is too early to rush to conclusions," Hamdan said. "We
should see something practical on the ground and not just statements."
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