RAMALLAH, Saturday, January 16, 2021 (WAFA) – The ruling Fatah movement and its rival, the Islamic Hamas movement, welcomed the decree issued yesterday by President Mahmoud Abbas setting dates for national elections in Palestine.

The decree set May 22 for holding legislative elections and July 31 for presidential elections. Elections for the National Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are planned for August 31.

Fatah considered in a statement issuing the decree as "an expression of the will of the Palestinian people and the outcome of instructions, dialogues and a responsible and national effort in which the national interest prevailed over factionalism." Fatah spokesman Osama Qawasmi said the Palestinian people are going through a historic and important phase to close the page on the 13-year division and establish a new stage whose title is unity and partnership, stressing that the elections are the gateway to close this page.

He said the next stage will witness holing in-depth national dialogue to discuss all the details.

The Gaza-based Hamas movement, which ruled the sea enclave since it broke away from the Palestinian Authority in July 2007 leading to the long division, has also welcomed the decree on elections.

It said in a statement that it is highly interested in seeing these elections succeed to achieve the interest of the Palestinian people.

Several other Palestinian political factions have also welcomed the issuing of the decrees.

The last legislative elections were held in January 2006 and the presidential elections were held in March 2005.

M.K.