RAMALLAH, March 18, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas is going to dispatch a high level delegation to the Gaza Strip to prepare for his impending visit, Friday said his advisor Nimr Hammad.

Abbas has also invited Hamas representatives in the West Bank to meet him for the same purpose, said Hammad, and has also made contacts on the Arab and regional levels to discuss his initiative.

The President has also asked Hussein al-Sheikh, minister of civil affairs, to make arrangements with the Israeli authorities for Abbas’ intended trip to Gaza, his first since Hamas took it over in June 2007.

Abbas has to travel through Israel to reach the Gaza Strip, which requires prior coordination with the Israeli side.

Abbas said on Wednesday he is willing to travel to Gaza in the next few days and meet Hamas officials for only one purpose and that is to form a government of independent nationalists to prepare for presidential and legislative elections within the coming six months.

He also said he was not going there for reconciliation dialogue.

Hamas welcomed his visit, but said it expects it to focus on dialogue to reconcile Abbas’ Fatah party and Hamas in order to reunite the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

M.A.