Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:2
Hamas Leader Mashal to Visit Iran
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13931006001375

TEHRAN (FNA)- Hamas Politburo Chief Khalid Mashal is due to visit Tehran in
future, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein
Amir Abdollahian revealed on Saturday.

Speaking to FNA, Amir Abdollahian confirmed Mashal's visit to Iran but
refrained from announcing the exact date of the trip.

Commenting on ties between Iran and Hamas resistance group, he said, "The
relations between Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran have never been
cut."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic countries and the region's public
opinion will never leave the oppressed Palestinian people alone," Amir
Abdollahian underlined.

In relevant remarks last week, senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar
stressed the necessity for strengthening bilateral relations with Tehran,
and said the resistance group would never be coaxed into darkening these
ties for short-term interests.

"Reinvigoration of ties with Tehran is necessary for strengthening the
resistance and is considered as a step towards the materialization of the
Palestinian cause," Zahar told FNA on Monday.

He criticized the displeasure expressed by certain Arab states in the close
relations between Iran and Hamas, and asked them to avoid pressuring the
resistance group to make it adopt positions which are harmful to its
interests and the Palestinians.

Zahar emphasized that no pressure or privilege could persuade Hamas to give
up strengthening ties with Tehran.

Media reports said on December 19 that Saudi Arabia had offered to put up
the funds for the Hamas' entire annual budget if the resistance movement
suspended all its communication with Iran, adding that the Palestinian
faction has turned down the offer.

According to a report released by Debka file, the Saudi regime called on
Hamas to sever its all-out ties with Iran and promised in return to provide
funds for the military spending of the faction, as well as covering the full
cost of rebuilding the Gaza Strip after the ravages of the Israeli 51-day
offensive.

The Saudi regime believed that its package would be too generous to resist,
but Hamas refused to even send a reply.

"They must totally sever their military, political and financial ties with
Iran. In token of this action, Hamas Political Chief Khaled Meshaal must
call off his impending trip to Tehran, scheduled to mark the public
announcement of the organization’s reconciliation with Iran and its leading
ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad," Debka file reported.

Saudi Arabia has been enraged by the recent rapprochement between the
Palestinian Hamas Resistance Movement and Iran.

"Some Saudi intelligence officials officially contacted some Hamas leaders
outside the Gaza Strip regarding recent developments in relations between
Hamas and Iran," said the Palestinian Al-Ray media agency.

The source added that Saudi Arabia had expressed anger over Hamas' policies
toward Iran, calling on the Palestinian faction to suspend all communication
with Tehran.

A Hamas delegation visited Tehran last week with a view to improving
relations with Iran.

Earlier this month, Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades,
thanked Iran for providing it with "financial and military" assistance used
to defend the Gaza Strip during Israel's recent 51-day onslaught on the
embattled enclave.

Speaking at a Gaza City rally, Brigades Spokesman Abu Obeida thanked Iran
for its "support of the Palestinian resistance" by providing rockets that
had been used against Israeli targets during the Zionists' deadly summer
offensive.