KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 — Hamas chairman Khalid Meshaal said Arab nations greatly admired Malaysia’s strong and united community, as well as its economic development.

Malaysians should, therefore, continue to preserve this unity and strive for further progress and development of its economy, apart from building on the edge it had in areas like technology, he said, noting that without unity, much could not be achieved.

“We need this bright image of Malaysia to be enhanced and reinforced. We need this development to continue, as well, because the Arab nations, especially Palestine, look up to Malaysia as a model country,” he told Bernama in a recent interview when asked for his "special message" for Malaysians.   

Speaking through an interpreter, Meshaal said his visit to Malaysia this time was unique as it pushed the relationship between Palestine and Malaysia to a higher level, besides underscoring the existing good ties between the Palestinian and Malaysian people.

The Hamas leader was here on the invitation of Umno to attend a two-day international forum with the theme, 'The Politics of Moderation Accommodates and Balances Competing Principles that Lead to Peace and Stability,' held in conjunction with the Umno General Assembly. The event last week was attended by 125 delegates from more than 30 political parties in 25 countries.

Elaborating on his invitation to Umno to become a mediator in reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah, he said he told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that Hamas was keen for reconciliation as it was in the national interest of Palestine.

Meshaal said that Palestine was proud of the “Malaysian experience” and had discussed with Najib about the reconciliation process.

“We have clarified the idea of the reconciliation and the challenges we are facing, the veto that was imposed on the reconciliation process by the international quartet, and the Israeli intervention that is hindering the progress on the issue,” he added.

However, he explained that while Hamas welcomed efforts by any country to help achieve reconciliation, it would not be a replacement for the role played by Egypt, which is the main peace broker in the process to achieve reconciliation.

Egypt brokered a Palestinian reconciliation deal in 2011, but it was never implemented while the International Quartet, set up in 2002 and comprising the United Nations, European Union, United States and Russia, is aimed at helping to mediate Middle East’s peace negotiations and support Palestinian economic development and institution-building, in preparation for eventual statehood.

Asked how Hamas had benefited from his presence at the Umno General Assembly, he said it helped strengthen Hamas-Fatah relationship and provided a positive atmosphere that would benefit the Palestinians.

He said despite the “Palestinian division,” the relationship between Fatah and Hamas had not ended because, according to him, both parties were partners in the struggle in their homeland.

“In fact, we are both, as far as Malaysia and its leadership are concerned, represent Palestine. Despite hailing from different political parties, we both represent the state of Palestine. This is, in fact, a positive way of thinking for the unity of the Palestinian people,” he noted.

Palestine's Fatah Deputy Foreign Relations Commissioner Dr Abdullah M. Abdullah also attended the Umno's international forum.

Meshaal also urged Malaysians to continue to support the Palestinian people’s struggle and resistance, as well as back them in protecting the Al Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, and to be partners in liberating Palestine and restoring their rights because “we are one ummah.”

“If we do not solve the Palestinian issue, it will lead to a situation of instability in the whole region and, of course, will hinder any achievements in the region. So, for the benefit of the ummah, they should have or play a role to end this conflict,” he stressed. — Bernama