Abul-Gheit: Egypt seeks to Palestinian unity

Egypt always seeks to group Palestinians together, defuse internal tension and convince all parties to take the right path of cooperation and national dialogue, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said Tuesday night.

In statements to the Al-Arabiya satelite TV on the sidelines of the Quartet meeting in New York, Abul Gheit expressed hope that the Palestinians would overcome the obstacle threatening Palestinian national action.

He regretted the current showdown between Palestinians, confirming that it would not serve Palestinian struggle.

Asked whether there was an Egyptian initiative to cool off the situation between the Palestinian Fatah and Hamas movements, the Foreign Minister said an Egyptian delegation was trying to have clashes stopped among the two factions.

This would help lead to a national dialogue able to rid the Palestinian people of their sufferings, Abul-Gheit added.

As for the Quartet Committee meetings, Abul-Gheit said talks centered on ways to find a financial mechanism, through which aid could reach the Palestinian people.

Abul-Gheit said the Arab countries deal with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas who is in charge of foreign policy and has the right to negotiate.

He, meantime, did not rule out a change in the stance of the Hamas-led government.

Abul-Gheit also unveiled that Abbas sent a message to the Arab ministers convening in New York 12 hours before the Quartet Committee meeting.

Abul-Gheit highlighted the importance of asking Hamas to act in compliance with international legitimacy resolutions.