Egypt’s Morsi, Abbas To Discuss Inter-Palestinian Reconciliation

President Mohamed Morsi is scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday morning to discuss Egypt’s role in finalising a proposed reconciliation deal between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas.

The meeting will coincide with another meeting intended to resume the reconciliation committee’s work with the Egyptian intelligence apparatus. This meeting will include taking suggestions with regards to the formation of a transitional government that can be trusted by both factions, according to Fatah delegation head Azzam Al-Ahmed.

Other issues that will top the agenda include elections, security, and the reorganisation of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO).

Ibrahim Al-Darrawy, director of the Palestinian Centre for Policy Studies, however, believes the meeting will not contribute to inter-Palestinian reconciliation because it lacks a clear vision, is open-ended, and fails to set down a specific timetable.

On top of these concerns is whether parliamentary, presidential, and Palestinian National Council (PNC) elections should be held at the same time, along with fears that resistance groups – such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad – will sweep the polls, thus sidelining Fatah and Fatah-affiliated groups.

Al-Darrawy also pointed to disagreements over when elections should be held. While some have called for elections within one year, Fatah officials have said they should be held within three months.

Ahram