Hamas political chief chief on Monday dismissed a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference planned for later this year, saying it was meant to distract the region as Washington prepared for an attack against Iran. According to the AP, he also warned Palestinian leaders against making concessions to Israel during the meeting.
"Strategically, it (Washington) is setting the stage and covering up for the upcoming American war in the region," Khaled Mashaal told a press conference at a forum of Palestinian intellectuals in Damascus. "There are preparations for an aggression against Iran, and could include other parties - Syria, Lebanon and Hizbullah. Therefore, America is distracting us with a false game and is preparing itself for the real one," he said.
Mashaal added he feared "voluntary concessions by the Palestinians and the Arabs" during the upcoming conference without reciprocal moves by the Israelis. The Hamas leader warned Arab states to stay away from the conference and advised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against making any concessions.
"No one is authorized to continue with negotiations like he wishes" while the Palestinians are divided, he said. "No one is authorized to give up an inch of land, exchange it or give up the right of return."
