Leaders of Palestinian factions to hold rare talks in Algeria next week

Palestinian factions will hold round table talks in Algeria next week under the auspices of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a bid to reach a unified Palestinian draft to be presented at the upcoming Arab summit.

On Monday, the Algerian sponsorship of "the Palestinian Dialogue" completed the delivery of invitations to leaders of thirteen Palestinian factions to participate in talks from 11 to 12 October in the North African state.

The Palestinian delegations, including Hamas and Fatah members, are expected to arrive in Algiers by the end of this week.

Yamen Kodeih, the Fatah spokesman in Algeria, confirmed to The New Arab's Arabic-language sister publication, Al Araby Aljadeed, that "the meetings will discuss an Algerian draft that was prepared as a basis for this meeting."

In an interview with the Anadolu Agency, Hazem Qassem, Hamas' spokesman, said that the movement is taking Algeria's effort to encourage Palestinian reconciliation seriously.

Hamas official added that the movement has presented an "integrated vision for Algeria to achieve true national unity, to reach consensus on a formula that includes all parties."

In January, Algeria's launched an initiative to mediate a Palestinian national reconciliation, hosting dozens of key political leaders from the different factions to agree on a common goal.

On 5 July, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau.

Upon Tebboune's invitation, the two Palestinian leaders visited Algeria last month to attend the 60th anniversary of the North African country's independence from France.

A picture of the three leaders holding hands was shared following the meeting.

Algeria's president has stressed that his country has the credibility to mediate a Palestinian reconciliation as "it keeps the same distance from all the national Palestinian powers".

Since 2007, the Palestinian territories have been fraught with political and geographical division, with Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip while the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, administers the West Bank.

It came after the PA and leading international powers rejected Hamas' election win.

Since then, numerous talks have failed to make a breakthrough, with each side further entrenching their positions.

Algerian officials said they seek to place the Palestinian cause at "the centre of the priorities" of the Arab summit, which will take place on 1 November in the North African state after two years hiatus due to Covid.