Meshaal needs 'Arab support' for PLO role

A senior Hamas leader has claimed that appointing Hamas Political Bureau Khaled Meshaal as the head of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) is "neither the decision of Hamas nor the Palestinians," and as such it requires "the consensus of pro-Palestine countries." The source, speaking under the condition of anonymity told a Jerusalem newspaper that "Hamas will not reject any proposal to take over the responsibility of PLO, provided that it reconstructed in a way that protects the Palestinian cause." The source denied any internal discussions within Hamas about Meshaal taking presidency of the organisation in the future, stressing that "Hamas is concerned with developing its political business in conformity with the requirements of the Palestinian people." Meanwhile, Head of the PLO's Department of Culture and Information Dr Hanan Ashrawi has said that the next PLO chairman must come through public elections that express "the will of the Palestinians." Hanan asserted that "Arab countries support the PLO, but no one dictates who takes up the presidency of the Organisation." Ashrawi also confirmed that the senior leadership of the organisation will meet in Cairo on February 8 unless there are developments in Egypt. Ahmed Majdalani, member of PLO executive committee, said, "only the National Council can decide who takes over the presidency of the organisation, and Palestinians will welcome Hamas winning the majority, if it is the product of a democratic system." He argued that "no Arab country that can interfere in the decisions of the organisation," adding, it happened once when the Arab states established the PLO, and Ahmed Shukairy took over presidency, but it ended when the national Palestinian factions joined in and became the decision-makers." There have been reports that Hamas wants Khaled Meshaal to be the next PLO president, with support from influential Arab countries.