Haniyeh: Unity gov't will work for right of return

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday his government, or any future national unity government, would work to preserve the Palestinians' right of return. Haniyeh, who is on his first tour abroad since his Hamas-led government took office in March, spoke at a press conference after meeting with the representatives of 10 Palestinian factions based in Damascus. "We stressed our commitment to preserve Palestinian rights and principles, first, foremost among them the right of return and the right of resistance until defeating the occupation (Israel) and establishing a Palestinian state with full sovereignty with Jerusalem as its capital," Haniyeh said. Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal said at the press conference that there was "the Palestinians are unified in insisting on breaking the blockade without paying any political costs."