Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal 'set to run for PLO role'
Reageer (0)By Phoebe Greenwood
22-1-2012
Having stepped down as Hamas party chairman after 16 years at the movement’s helm, Khaled Meshaal looks set to run for a senior position in the PLO in the forthcoming Palestinian elections.
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal Photo: AP
The Hamas leader, currently living in exile in Damascus, announced in a statement on Saturday that he does not want to stand for re-election later this year.
While senior Hamas officials quoted in the Israeli media blame the surprise resignation on a rift between Mr Meshaal and the party leadership in Gaza, analysts suggest he has withdrawn from Hamas in order to pursue a bigger political goal.
“He will not sit aside idly – he has other targets for himself,” says Dr Samir Awwad, professor of international relations at Birzeit University.
“As negotiations between Fatah and Hamas gain momentum, it is possible that Meshaal is considering the possibility of occupying the seat of President of the PLO executive. He will compete for that.”
Last month in Cairo, militant group Hamas agreed to form a unified Palestinian government with rival faction Fatah but stopped short of signing up to the PLO charter, which would require its members to lay down arms.
Without signing this charter, a Hamas leader cannot claim a senior PLO role.
Whatever his longer term intentions, Mr Meshaal has provided Hamas with strong, popular leadership and there is a fear among members that his withdrawal could lead to factional splintering within the movement.
Apparently aiming to stem this threat, Ismail Haniya, Hamas prime minister, has taken steps to consolidate ties with potential opposition groups. Hamas announced on Saturday that it intends to merge with hard line militant group Islamic Jihad.
While Hamas has officially asked Mr Meshaal to reconsider his decision, several candidates have already emerged to vie for his seat, including Mr Haniya.
Mr Meshaal’s deputy Musa Abu Marzouk is the outgoing chairman’s choice successor. Mr Marzouk, a moderate figure, has gained respect and popularity in recent months having led the factional negotiations in Cairo. Dr Awwad expects he will win the role: “Under his leadership, we would expect a further boost to the reconciliation process but we would not see major changes in the party. His policies are much the same [as Mr Meshaal's].”
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