DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, said that PA chief Mahmoud Abbas stands to benefit considerably from any internal reconciliation.

Abu Marzouk in an interview with Palestine daily published on Sunday said that Abbas is responsible for the internal Palestinian division that happened during his term in office.

Abbas has to restore national cohesion to the Palestinian arena, the Hamas leader said, opining that Abbas's political program championing negotiations with Israeli occupation could not accomplish anything without Palestinian unity.

It is in the interest of Abbas to prepare the adequate atmosphere for the upcoming presidential election that is only few months away, Abu Marzouk elaborated.

He said that his Movement in its Arab and Islamic tours discussed the basic questions of internal dialog, Gaza siege and supporting the Palestinian people in addition to explaining the Movement's positions especially on the calm in Gaza.

The Hamas leader denied press speculations that his Movement's relations with Syria were strained, and also denied presence of a Fatah delegation led by Ahmed Qurei in Damascus to meet with a senior delegation from Hamas.