RAMALLAH, March 18, 2012 (WAFA) – Sunday’s issue of al-Quds newspaper highlighted accusations made by Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad holding Iran responsible for the failure of the internal Palestinian reconciliation efforts.

The prime headline quoted al-Ahmad saying: “Iran finances Hamas in Gaza in exchange of hindering reconciliation” in an interview with the Lebanon-based al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida focused on its front page on Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s tour in Hebron governorate, during which he stressed the importance of achieving reconciliation and holding accountable any party that breaches the reconciliation obligations.

The three dailies reported from Egypt on the death of Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, after battling liver and lung problems from several years.

News from Syria dominated almost half of al-Ayyam newspaper as the main article reported on two bombings that killed 27 people in the Syrian capital of Damascus, while another article featured leaked emails between the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife mocking former Arab allies.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Quds published reports on the deteriorating health of Hana’ Shalabi, the Palestinian prisoner who has been on an open-ended hunger strike for 32 days protesting her arrest without charge or trial. Both papers said Shalabi’s family refused an Israeli offer to release her in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds editorial addressed the continuous US and European “vague and ambiguous” statements regarding the Palestinian-Israeli situation, adding that no Western official bluntly demanded Israel to withdraw its army and settlers from the Palestinian Territory.

The daily said the international community must hasten its measures to implement a just solution for the Palestinian cause. It warned from a disaster that would affect everyone once Arabs and Palestinians realize that Israel cut off the road to peace.

R.Q./F.R.