Hamas chief invited to visit Moscow

By Nour Abu Aisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh has received an official invitation to visit Moscow, the Palestinian group said Wednesday.

The invitation was conveyed by ambassador to Palestine Haidar Rashid during his meeting with Haniyeh in Gaza City.

During the meeting, Haniyeh hailed Russian efforts regarding the Palestinian issue, Hamas said in a statement.

The Russian diplomat, for his part, said Moscow “was exerting all efforts at all levels in terms of the Palestinian cause”.

Hamas and Russia have formal relations. Several delegations from the Palestinian groups had visited Moscow before for talks with Russian officials.

Last week, senior Hamas member Moussa Abu Marzouk told Anadolu Agency that Haniyeh was setting arrangements for a foreign tour, without giving details about the countries that the Hamas leader will visit during the tour.