Abu Marzouk and the question of Hamas

Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzouk said his idea for settling the question of the Hamas movement with Jordan is through the release of the detainees and opening a dialogue with the Jordanian government concerning all issues of concern to serve the interests of the two sides.

He noted that Hamas takes into account Jordan's conditions and is careful to maintain its security and future.

In a telephone call with the Jordanian daily al-Dostour from his headquarters in Damascus, Abu Marzouk denied that talks had been made inside Hamas on reforming its political bureau or a leadership for it. He added, "Khaled Mashaal is the chairman of the political bureau of the Hamas movement. I cannot talk about his issue, and Mashaal is in prison."

Concerning Arab and Islamic mediation made to end the Hamas case, Abu Marzouk said these mediations should speak of themselves. He stated that the chairman of the higher Shitte Islamic Council in Lebanon, Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shamseddine, following his meeting with King Abdullah during his recent visit to Jordan, was very pleased, having the conviction that he reached "a good thing" in settling the question of Hamas.