The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has welcomed the meeting that recently brought together leaders from Fatah and Hamas movements in Cairo, Egypt. In a press statement issued here yesterday, Ihsanoglu described the meeting as a significant development on the path toward ending the tension that has plagued the Palestinian political scene. He expressed his appreciation for the reconciliation efforts deployed by the Arab Republic of Egypt in a bid to bring together Palestinian factions and put an end to Palestinian divisiveness. Ihsanoglu expressed the hope that these meetings will continue until a national reconciliation agreement is achieved and the state of divisiveness is ended. "Reconciliation would enhance Palestinian national unity, contribute to lifting the unjust blockade imposed on the Palestinian people, enable Palestinians to uphold their national achievements, protect their holy places, move towards securing their inalienable rights to freedom and independence, and establish their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital".
