Haniyeh discusses Palestinian elections with UN’s Mladenov

Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh discussed in on Friday details of Palestinian elections with UN Special Envoy for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov.

In an online meeting, Haniyeh reiterated the necessity of the UN and international community’s role in the forthcoming Palestinian elections, especially ensuring their integrity, making the necessary arrangements and placing pressure on the Israeli occupation to not disrupt the election process.

Haniyeh reaffirmed the necessity to recognise the outcomes of the Palestinian elections, particularly those relating to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) institutions and the formation of a government and executive committees.

Hamas has exerted enormous efforts that resulted in the release of presidential decrees setting a timeline for parliamentary, presidential and National Council elections, Haniyeh explained to the UN envoy.

In addition, he briefed Mladenov about the steps to be taken in the forthcoming stage, including the matters that will be discussed in the coming days in Cairo.

“Hamas views elections as a prelude to restructuring the Palestinian House, ending the division, enhancing the concept of partnership, protecting the national project, which is facing great challenges, and having our Palestinian people abroad reengaged into the leading institutions,” Haniyeh stressed.

Mladenov, in return, hailed Hamas’ position on the Palestinian elections, reaffirming the need to move ahead with this democratic option.

The UN special envoy confirmed that he is ready to support all steps intended to reinforce the Palestinian democracy.