(Reuters) Crispian Balmer and Nidal Al-Mughrabi - A Palestinian unity deal will not lead Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist and will not result in any Gaza military forces coming under President Mahmoud Abbas' control, veteran Hamas strategist Mahmoud Al-Zahar said Tuesday. He said Abbas was using the unity deal to put heat on Israel, but that he was also worried by a U.S. threat to suspend hundreds of millions in aid. "He is seeking a guarantee that U.S. financial support will continue," Zahar said. "Abbas is not telling them the truth. He says 'this is my government.' But it is not his government. It is a government of national unity. He is marketing it in this way to minimize the pressure," said Zahar, who took part in the unity negotiations.
2014-04-30 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive