In yet another sign of rapprochement between Hamas and the new Egyptian regime,
a senior delegation from the Islamist movement is expected to visit Cairo
shortly.
The delegation, which would be headed by Musa Abu Marzouk,
deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, is scheduled to meet with Egyptian
Foreign Minister Nabil Elaraby and members of the ruling military
council.
The talks would focus on ways of ending the power struggle
between Hamas and Fatah.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar arrived in Cairo
earlier this week for what was described as a “private visit” to relatives. This
was Zahar’s second visit to Cairo since former President Hosni Mubarak stepped
down in February.
Hamas and Egyptian leaders have expressed a desire in
improving their relations in the post-Mubarak era.
The Egyptians have
signaled their willingness to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and
the Gaza Strip.
In a goodwill gesture to Hamas, the Egyptian authorities
have in recent weeks released scores of Palestinians who were held in Egyptian
prisons because of their activities on behalf of the movement. The Egyptians
have also promised to look into Hamas’s request to open a representative office
that would function as an unofficial embassy in Cairo.
Osama Hamdan,
Hamas’s “foreign minister,” said on Tuesday that his movement was keen on
improving its relationship with the new government in Egypt.
“Our
contacts with Egypt are continuing,” he said.
“We are discussing various
issues related to the situation in the Palestinian arena and the reopening of
the Rafah border crossing.”