Hamas denies opening office in Cairo

Hamas figure Salah Bardawil has denied that a Hamas representative office will be opened in Cairo. On Monday evening, Bardawil expressed in a press statement his surprise at the news about opening a representative office in Cairo.  He said that some of Hamas leaders are present in many Arab countries, which does not mean there are representative offices in these countries. The same day, an Egyptian official source said that a number of agreements have been reached with officials in the Gaza Strip related to the security issue and facilitating the work at Rafah Crossing. The source revealed that Hamas and Cairo had agreed on the opening of a Hamas media headquarters in Cairo where the Hamas deputy chief Mousa Marzook lives. The Egyptian source said that it was agreed to form a security committee between Egypt and the Palestinian government in order to discuss all issues and common security issues, the Palestinian-Egyptian border in particular. According to Middle East Portal, a joint security committee was formed between intelligence officials and the Palestinian side represented in Qassam Brigades commander Ahmed al-Jabari, security adviser to the Palestinian government Ayman Taha, Moussa Abu Marzook, and Bassem Naim. It was agreed during these meetings to have a new start in the security cooperation relations. The source said that the Palestinian security delegation has presented to intelligence officials files that are related to the attack on the Rafah crossing, which resulted in the death of sixteen soldier and the injury of seven others in Sinai. The source denied tackling the free trade zone between Gaza and Egypt. The source added that they will study in detail the mechanisms and new facilities at the Rafah crossing during the coming days. In the same context, the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" confirmed the presence of Egyptian approach of President Mohamed Morsi, which was described as "sincere" toward Gaza Strip and all outstanding issues. On Monday, the spokesman of the movement Fawzi Barhoum said in a press statement that the Egyptian president conveyed good promises to the Palestinian people as a whole and especially the people of Gaza that suffers from unjust Israeli Siege. Barhoum said that these “positive “promises include siege, fuel, electricity, and mechanism of work at the Rafah crossing. The Hamas spokesman expressed his wish that the next stage witnesses a breakthrough in the important issues, and ease the siege on the people of Gaza Strip, assuring that the government in Gaza is making intensive contacts with its Egyptian counterpart to solve the crisis of Gaza strip. The Hebrew media sources confirmed that President Mohamed Morsi will announce lifting the siege on Gaza Strip permanently within the next few days, as promised in his election campaign.