Khaled Mashaal
Photo: AFP
Hamas' Mashaal to visit Jordan
Jordanian government spokesman denies receiving Qatari request to take in Hamas leaders but suggests issue may be discussed after Mashaal's visit
Jordanian government spokesman Rakan al-Majali confirmed Friday that Jordan
is expecting a visit from Hamas
politburo chief Khaled Mashaal and Qatari Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamas al-Thani, the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper reported.
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Al-Majali added that Jordan welcomes its guests as fellow brothers from Qatar and Hamas. He noted that the visit will be followed by a discussion on Jordan's ties with Hamas and the interests of the Jordanian and Palestinian people.
The spokesman also addressed Israeli reports suggesting that Qatar was pressuring Amman to take in Hamas in exchange for financial incentives and stressed that the government had not been approached with such a plan by any official. He denied reports claiming that Jordan was set to receive gas supply from Qatar.
Al-Majali added that the visit had thus far been delayed due to the Qatari heir's schedule and that it will be held soon.
Several Hamas senior officials recently left Damascus in the wake of the Assad regime's violent crackdown. Some conjectured that the movement will seek refuge in Jordan which expelled it 12 years ago.
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