CAIRO (AFP)
A Hamas delegation crossed into Egypt from Gaza on Wednesday for talks with Jimmy Carter after Israel barred the former U.S. president from visiting the Palestinian territory.
The delegation, which includes leaders Mahmoud Zahar and Said Siam and four others, went to Cairo as at least 17 people were killed in Gaza violence, including three Israeli soldiers, two Palestinian children and a Reuters cameraman.
Carter and his wife Rosalynn flew to the Egyptian capital from Tel Aviv in a private jet, an airport official said.
When asked about a meeting with Hamas, Carter's trip director Rick Jafculca said: "That is the plan. We hope it will take place. If it happens it will take place tomorrow. We're not providing any other details."
Hard-line Hamas leader Zahar hailed the prospective meeting.
"President Carter can break all the Israeli restraints that they want to place between him and Hamas and so we and our brothers in Damascus are determined to meet with him," he told reporters at the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.
The former president is expected to meet exiled Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal in Damascus on Friday, despite strong opposition from Israel and the U.S. administration.
Carter "affirmed the legitimacy of Hamas and that it is a national liberation movement despite the fact that he did not say so officially," Zahar added.
Zahar and Siam are considered hard-line Hamas leaders who planned the violent takeover of Gaza from forces loyal to moderate Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in June.
The delegation is also to meet Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman to discuss a possible ceasefire with Israel, reopening the Rafah crossing, and the fate of an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas in 2006.
Carter, winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace prize, on Sunday began a nine-day tour of the region to promote the Middle East peace process.
Israeli political leaders snubbed him over his plans to talk with Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation by the Jewish state as well as by the United States and the European Union.
Carter said Israel denied him permission to travel to the Gaza Strip. Israel sealed its borders with Gaza after Hamas took control of the territory.
Carter, who insists he is not acting as a mediator, has been urging talks with Hamas and Syria, saying a Middle East peace accord cannot be reached without them.
Washington has said the former president is acting in a personal capacity.
After two days in Egypt, Carter is due to travel to Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. |
