Abu Marzouk: US warned PA against reconciling with Hamas

Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy political bureau chairman of Hamas, has said that his movement asked for postponing a meeting with Fatah that was slated for February 27 out of fear that differences might foil the meeting.

He told Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai Al-Aam in an interview published on Wednesday that the US was threatening the Palestinian Authority that it would suspend its 450 million dollars aid if it went ahead in the reconciliation with Hamas.

He said that Washington was even threatening to pressure European countries to halt their aid for the same reason.

Responding to another question, Abu Marzouk said that opening Rafah terminal for goods as well as for passengers would terminate the need for tunnels.

US president Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the Middle East next week and would meet PA chief Mahmoud Abbas during his visit.