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Beijing is set to host Hamas, Fatah, and other Palestinian factions for a second reconciliation meeting in June, highlighting China’s growing desire to play a larger role in Middle East diplomacy.
At the end of April, two delegations, headed by Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzouk and Fatah official Azzam Al Ahmad, met in the Chinese capital to discuss internal reconciliation.
The surprise meeting came as Palestinian parties discussed the future of the conflict with Israel, amid the devastating war on Hamas in Gaza.
Hamas’s representative in Lebanon, Ahmed Abdel Hadi, told The National on Wednesday that at the Beijing meeting “we discussed government, legislative elections, rebuilding and development of the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organisation ] in preparation for the entry of Hamas and Islamic Jihad into it”.
No Palestinian presidential elections have been held since 2005.
In 2006, during the parliamentary elections, Hamas scored a significant victory, securing 74 out of 132 seats, and Ismail Haniyeh, head of the group's political bureau, subsequently formed the new government.
Internal conflicts and outside pressure led to tensions between Hamas and Fatah and the outbreak of clashes that ended with Hamas taking control of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has shown a desire to join the Palestine Liberation Organisation, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, which is particularly difficult for mainstream Palestinian politicians to accept.
There are fears that if Hamas, which is designated as a terror organisation by several western countries, does join, it would undermine the PLO's decades-long recognition by the international community as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Positive atmosphere
Last year, reconciliation talks between rival factions in Cairo failed to achieve progress despite mounting pressure to present a united front against Israel.
However, Mr Abdel Hadi emphasised that “the atmosphere was positive” in Beijing.
“We agreed to hold another meeting on June 14 under the name Interim Leadership Framework to discuss what we have reached with Fatah and build on it.”
Palestinian sources close to Fatah told The National that President Abbas gave the green light to meet Hamas representatives in China, considering it a necessity in light of the war in Gaza.
Palestinian legislator Dimitri Diliani, a member of Fatah, stressed “the necessity for dialogue between everyone, solidarity, and unification of all efforts to defend Gaza”.
Mr Diliani, a spokesman for the National Reformist Movement of Fatah, called for the formation of a government that would have all executive powers in the West Bank and Gaza, while the position of president would be ceremonial.
Some Palestinian factions expect that China will not achieve much success in its mediation, considering that regional countries such as Egypt and Qatar, despite their significant influence on Palestinian affairs, have not succeeded in resolving the rivalry between Fatah and Hamas.
However, a diplomatic source in Beirut said that Beijing's success is “not unlikely”.
China does not consider Hamas a terrorist movement and has recognised the State of Palestine since 1988. Its interest in the Palestinian cause reflects Beijing's increasing desire to deal with the most important issues in the region.
“Who would have imagined that China would suddenly break the state of the cold war that existed between Tehran and Riyadh and succeed in turning a new page?” asked the diplomatic source.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
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6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
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6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
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7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
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7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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25 visual effects (VFX) studios
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10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
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