KUWAIT, (PIC)-- Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, a member of Hamas political bureau, said Tuesday that he intends to go to Cairo next Thursday in order to follow up the inter-Palestinian reconciliation file, noting that this visit would be preceded by a stopover in Damascus aimed to coordinate positions with Hamas leadership.

During a political symposium organized by the society of teachers in Kuwait, Dr. Zahhar highlighted that the Palestinian reconciliation represents to Hamas a strategic choice and a factor of strength for the achievement of the national liberation project.

The Hamas official added that his Movement’s adherence to reconciliation is primarily aimed to frustrate an Israeli plan to recruit Palestinian figures who would be used in future to liquidate the Palestinian cause.

He pointed out that Hamas seeks reconciliation but without any external dictates and not at the expense of the Palestinian constants and rights.

Dr. Zahhar also told the Kuwaiti Al-Rai newspaper that his Movement would never recognize the Israeli occupation, stressing that calm with Israel does not mean that there is no resistance.

In another context, former advisor to Shabak (the Israeli intelligence) Mattei Stimberg told the Hebrew radio on Tuesday that Mahmoud Abbas’s authority is gradually collapsing and everything slipping off its control especially after Hamas decided to ban the elections in Gaza.

Stimberg added that after the collapse of Abbas’s authority, Hamas would fill the gap and would lead the Palestinian arena.

For his part, member of the popular front for the liberation of Palestine Jamil Mizher condemned the American position towards settlement expansion as disgraceful, and called on Abbas’s authority to reconsider its negotiations with the Israeli occupation and work on building a national strategy based on the Palestinian rights and constants.

Mizher stressed the need to wager on the Palestinian people instead of counting on the current American administration.