Syria cancels the Palestinian factions meeting in opposition to Annapolis

Friday November 23, 2007 12:55 by IMEMC Staff & Agencies - IMEMC News

A high-ranking Palestinian source reportedly revealed to Al-Quds Al-Arabi on Thursday that the Damascus regime barred the opposition Palestinian factions' meeting. The unnamed source added that the Syrian authorities succumbed to pressure imposed by the Americans, Arabs, Europeans and even Palestinians.

A member of the Hamas political office reported to Al-Quds Al-Arabi that the meeting was suspended until it is clear what the autumn meeting in Annapolis will entail. It is necessary to know if the meeting will be held, what the schedule will be and which countries will participate. In the light of all these facts the decision of holding the Palestinian national conference will be taken.

Sources declared that Syria barred the Palestinian factions from meeting as it might worsen Syria's relationship with the American Administration. Syria is relying on the American Administration to put pressure on Tel-Aviv to restore negotiations with them.

Sources added that Syria is not concerned about hosting a meeting in opposition to Annapolis, since the American administration formally invitated Syria to participate in Annapolis.

Sources added that the Palestinian factions leaders are overwhelmed by anger about Syria's decision but dare not reveal it publicly for fear that Syria will expel them from Syrian lands. Their fear springs from the fact that the Israeli government only agreed to have negotiations with them on the conditon that they banish so-called terrorist leaders and heads of the political department of Hamas from Syria; Khaled Mash'al will be the first to go if this condition is acted upon.

On October the 13th, the Palestinian factions announced the Palestinian national conference would be postponed from November 7th to synchronize with the international conference in the USA, assumed to be held next week.

For his part, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, confirmed his opposition to the meeting that Hamas called to convene in Syria at the same time as the international summit, convened by the United States.

Mohammad Nazzal, a member in the political office of Hamas confirmed that invitations were extended to all the Palestinian factions, among those Fatah members and to Arabic and Islamic personalities to attend the summit only as guests.

He added that the invitations were directed to at least 800 Palestinians all over the world including members of Fatah, other members of the Palestinian factions, Head of the Palestinian national council, Saleem Al Za'noun, 200 national personalities and other 270 Arab personalities.

For his part, Mousa Abu Marzouq, a member in the political office of Hamas reported that the opposition conference was not cancelled and will be held in Damascus concurrently with the Bush conference.

Translated by Nisreen Qumsieh - IMEMC News.

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