PM Haniya: Gaza rather needs Arab support not Arab forces

Friday September 05, 2008 13:57 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniya, said on Friday that Gaza does need Arab forces on its soil, but rather needs Arab political and financial support.

Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas

During a celebration ceremony of 2500 memorizers of the Islamic holy book of Quran, held on Thursday evening in Gaza city, the prime minister was quoted as saying " Gaza needs an effective Arab role not Arab troops. This support is needed to lift the Israeli siege and defy the American-Israeli arrogance".

" Gaza is now free, secure and stable, therefore, it is determined to restore the national unity on correct basis, away from any American dictations or Veto", Haniya was added.

Part of the ceremony, the Islamist PM promised a reward of 100 U.S dollar to each memorizer of the Quran, calling on the Arab nations to provide Gaza with the needed financial support.

Haniya's remarks came in response to a proposal by the Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmad Abueghiet, that Arab troops be brought in Gaza for the sake of unifying the Palestinian factions, particularly Fatah and Hamas.

All other Gaza-based factions have slammed the proposal, as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's local leader , Rabah Mhanna, described it 'aimless', while the popular resistance committees' local leader , Ayman aL-Shihniya, said these troops should rather head for the occupied Jerusalem to free it from the Israeli occupation.

Currently, representatives of Palestinian faction hold meetings with Egyptian officials, in a bid to establish national unity in the Palestinian territories amidst split between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

gaza strip | palestinian politics | news report rami at imemc dot org