Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Nazzal: Some Arab and Palestinian leaders asked Israel not to release Barghouthi


"Mohammad Nazzal, member of the Political Bureau of the Hamas movement, stated on Tuesday night that some Palestinian and Arab officials asked Israeli officials not to release Marwan Barghouthi, a former legislator and Fatah official.

According to Nazzal, the officials said that releasing Barghouthi, a Fatah strong man, will weaken the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and boost the political and popular power of Hamas.

In a speech during a Hamas celebration in al-Yarmoul refugee camp in Syria on Tuesday night, Nazzal stated that, “it is weird, obnoxious and unbelievable to know that Arab and Palestinian leaders are asking Israel not to release Barghouthi”.

He added that the officials claimed that Abbas’ power would be hindered by the release of Barghouthi, and they believe that Barghouthi’s release would boost the power of Hamas.

Nazzal stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if those officials denied these claims, and added that the wife of Barghouthi, his lawyers and friends know the officials who are uttering these statements and “know more facts on the issue than we do.” ......."

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