[ 12/05/2010 - 09:46 AM ]
DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Visiting Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad, and Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal called in a meeting in Damascus on Tuesday for extending assistance to the besieged Gaza people.
Well informed sources said that the meeting discussed latest political developments topped by Palestinian reconciliation efforts and Hamas's stand toward the indirect talks between the Israeli occupation authority and the PA in Ramallah at a time the IOA was insisting on judaizing Jerusalem and maintaining settlement activity.
They said that the meeting, over a dinner banquet hosted by Assad, also touched on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and means of alleviating the suffering of the besieged people in Gaza including sending foodstuff and construction material as endorsed by the international quartet committee's meeting in Moscow on 19/3/2010.
Mishaal explained reasons for the internal Palestinian division and for failed efforts to bridge the resultant gap.
12/05/2010 During a meeting with Hamas politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal in Damascus on Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged the Islamic resistance group to "resolve the issue" of captured Israeli occupation soldier Gilad Shalit as soon as possible.
Shalit was captured by Palestinian resistance fighters on June 25, 2006.
The RIA Novosti news agency quoted a Kremlin spokeswoman as saying that during the meeting, which was also attended by Syrian President Bashar Assad, Medvedev called on Hamas to reconcile with PA President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction.
According to the Russian delegation's press secretary, Medvedev, who has already left Syria for Turkey, also stressed the importance of creating the conditions that are necessary for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The press secretary added that the meeting also centered on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza amid Israel's ongoing blockade. The participants stressed the need to provide aid – including food and construction materials - to the residents of the besieged territory in accordance with a demand made by the Mideast Quartet (Russia, US, European Union and UN) in Moscow on March 19.
Earlier Thursday, Assad said during a joint press conference with Medvedev that Russia is one of the supporters of the peace process and that this process is currently deadlocked.
However, according to Assad, "even during a stalemate, there are elements that can take steps to increase the opportunities for peace, or, on the contrary, take steps that may completely foil the peace process."
"We consider the expulsion of Palestinians from (occupied) Jerusalem and the attacks on holy sites, as well as the siege on Gaza, as steps that may completely foil the peace process," Assad said.
Medvedev was set to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul at a banquet Tuesday. His official talks are on Wednesday. Russia is Turkey's second largest trading partner and ties are flourishing.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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