Hamas Leader-in-Exile Says Group Sees Rapprochement with Fatah

Khalid Mash’al, the Hamas Damascus-based leader-in-exile, said on Monday that his group is willing to reconcile with rival Fatah along the lines of the proposal brokered by Egypt. If the rapprochement takes effect, it would clear the way for national elections to be held early next year and for a unity government to be formed. Many observers see the bifurcated Palestinian nation and internecine warfare between Fatah and Hamas as the key obstacles to statehood. Under terms of the Egyptian proposal, day-to-day matters would be run until the elections – presidential and legislative — by an advisory committee comprised of both factions. The elections will determine the final make-up of the permanent government.  Mahmoud ‘Abbas, the Fatah leader who heads the Palestinian Authority, would also head the advisory council.