Hamas's Mashaal to begin Arab tour in Cairo Monday
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Khaled Mashaal, the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas, announced Sunday he will go to Egypt at the start of an Arab tour seeking support for his group, two weeks after it won majority seats in parliament.
Speaking after a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, Mashaal told reporters that Hamas "is keen to form a national coalition government."
"God willing, our visit to sisterly Egypt will begin tomorrow," Mashaal said. He did not say what other countries he would visit.
Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said last week that Egypt intends to tell Hamas leaders that they must recognize Israel, disarm and honor past peace deals.