RAMALLAH, March 19, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian political factions are expected to meet later on Monday prior to a broader meeting for the Palestinian leadership on the same day to discuss preparations for convening the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the parliament in exile, at the end of April and its agenda, officials said on Monday.

Member of Fatah Central Committee, Jamal Muheisen, told Voice of Palestine radio that the factions would meet with member of Fatah Central Committee Azzam al-Ahmad to discuss the agenda for the PNC.

He said this meeting would precede a leadership meeting that includes the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the factions, the government and members of the security forces.

He noted that Hamas was not invited to the PNC meeting because it was responsible for staging the coup in Gaza in 2007 and obstructing efforts to end the intra-Palestinian division.

“If Hamas goes back on the coup, it will be invited to the PNC meeting,” he added.

Commenting on the PNC agenda, Muheisen said the PNC would rejuvenate the PLO leadership, decide on critical issues and lay out strategy for the next stage.

PLO Executive Committee member Saleh Raafat also told Voice of Palestine radio on Monday that the meeting will discuss the next step after the US open support for Israeli policy and following holding a conference in Washington under the pretext of saving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, while the US prepares to announce its so-called “deal of the century” that aim to liquidate the Palestinian cause.

He said the Arab countries will be asked not to cooperate with any plans within this framework.

The meeting will also discuss the ongoing Israeli measures in Jerusalem, the expansion of the settlements, the policy of extrajudicial executions and the arrest campaigns, said Raafat.

K.F/K.T./M.K.