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Fatah Stresses Egypt’s Pivotal Role in Palestinian Reconciliation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Fatah Stresses Egypt’s Pivotal Role in Palestinian Reconciliation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

A Fatah delegation discussed in Egypt the developments of the Palestinian reconciliation process, stressing Cairo’s “pivotal” role in achieving it, days after it concluded talks with Hamas in Turkey and Qatar.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub, and committee member Rawhi Fattouh, at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

A statement issued by the ministry reaffirmed Egypt's steadfast stance on the Palestinian cause.

It reiterated Egypt's unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with international resolutions.

The Ministry affirmed Egypt's support for all efforts to achieve stability, peace and security.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Hafez said in a statement that the officials conveyed Palestinian appreciation for Egypt’s unwavering support.

They briefed Shoukry on the latest developments and efforts to unify Palestinians, emphasizing the centrality of Egypt’s role in achieving the reconciliation.

Shoukry, in turn, stressed Egypt’s support to the Palestinian leadership and people during these delicate circumstances.

Hamas politburo member Hossam Badran had clarified that the intra-Palestinian talks were hosted by Turkey, and not under its auspices.

He expressed his appreciation and respect to all the sponsors of the previous dialogues, adding that Palestinians are keen on maintaining good relations with all Arab and Islamic countries.

Most Arab countries have welcomed the Palestinian reconciliation and there was no official objection from any state, according to Badran.

He reported that the aim is to hold elections, followed by the formation of a national unity government that includes all parties.

The official added that the elections are the first step towards forming the new National Council.

Badran stressed that the Fatah-Hamas talks are not a substitute for a general national dialogue, indicating that any bilateral understanding can’t be implemented without the approval of all Palestinian factions.

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Italy’s Foreign Minister Heads to Syria to Encourage Post-Assad Transition

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks to the media a he arrives for a meeting at Rome’s Villa Madama, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 on the situation in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini (Andrew Medichini/AP POOL)
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks to the media a he arrives for a meeting at Rome’s Villa Madama, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 on the situation in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini (Andrew Medichini/AP POOL)
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Italy’s Foreign Minister Heads to Syria to Encourage Post-Assad Transition

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks to the media a he arrives for a meeting at Rome’s Villa Madama, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 on the situation in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini (Andrew Medichini/AP POOL)
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks to the media a he arrives for a meeting at Rome’s Villa Madama, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 on the situation in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini (Andrew Medichini/AP POOL)

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he would travel to Syria on Friday to encourage the country's transition following the ouster of President Bashar Assad by insurgents, and appealed on Europe to review its sanctions on Damascus now that the political situation has changed.
Tajani presided over a meeting in Rome on Thursday of foreign ministry officials from five countries, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States.
The aim, he said, is to coordinate the various post-Assad initiatives, with Italy prepared to make proposals on private investments in health care for the Syrian population.
Going into the meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their European counterparts, Tajani said it was critical that all Syrians be recognized with equal rights. It was a reference to concerns about the rights of Christians and other minorities under Syria’s new de facto authorities of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HT.
“The first messages from Damascus have been positive. That’s why I’m going there tomorrow, to encourage this new phase that will help stabilize the international situation,” Tajani said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the European Union should discuss possible changes to its sanctions on Syria. “It’s an issue that should be discussed because Assad isn’t there anymore, it’s a new situation, and I think that the encouraging signals that are arriving should be further encouraged,” he said.
Syria has been under deeply isolating sanctions by the US, the European Union and others for years as a result of Assad’s brutal response to what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 and spiraled into civil war.
HTS led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and ended his family’s decades-long rule. From 2011 until Assad’s downfall, Syria’s uprising and civil war killed an estimated 500,000 people.
The US has gradually lifted some penalties since Assad departed Syria for protection in Russia. The Biden administration in December decided to drop a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of a Syrian opposition leader whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month.
Syria’s new leaders also have been urged to respect the rights of minorities and women. Many Syrian Christians, who made up 10% of the population before Syria’s civil war, either fled the country or supported Assad out of fear of insurgents.