Wed, 22:44 18 Feb 2009 GMT17

 

Egypt's ruling party attacks Hamas and allies
31 Dec 2008 15:53:14 GMT
Source: Reuters
CAIRO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Egypt's ruling party accused the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas on Wednesday of adventurism, irresponsibility and ignoring Egyptian advice on Gaza.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) said in a statement that Egypt was the victim of an organised campaign by Hamas and its regional allies -- Iran, Syria and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Iran and Hezbollah have criticised Egypt for failing to open its border with Gaza, in effect cooperating with the Israeli blockade of the impoverished coastal strip.

"(The party) notes that the leadership of Hamas is responsible for the turn that events have taken (in Gaza)," said the NDP secretariat. The statement also condemned Israeli raids which have killed almost 400 people in Gaza.

"The Hamas movement has thwarted all attempts to achieve Palestinian national unity and has not accepted repeated Egyptian advice on the importance of maintaining the truce (with Israel)," the NDP statement added.

"Instead, it has dealt with the situation in a spirit of adventurism and irresponsibility, without taking into account the consequences of its positions," it said.

"The Hamas leadership has been dragged behind delusional promises by parties and quarters who have contributed to the Palestinian cause only words and slogans," it added.

The statement went beyond criticism of Hamas by the government, which has said that it gave repeated warnings before Israel attacked last Saturday and that those who ignore warnings have only themselves to blame for the consequences.

The NDP, led by President Hosni Mubarak, usually takes its lead from the government but it sometimes has more freedom to express official views than government ministers.

The Egyptian government is on the defensive because the Israeli attacks on Gaza have put the spotlight on its policy of cooperating with the Israeli blockade.

Egypt says it has no choice and if it opened the border fully Israel would wash its hands of responsibility for Gaza.

"Egypt will not get involved in adventures or take decisions with ill-considered consequences," the NDP said. "It will not follow the appeals and delusions of the reckless."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit has attacked Iran and the Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah this week for their criticism of Egyptian policy on Gaza. (Writing by Jonathan Wright; Editing by Sami Aboudi)
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