Haniyeh in Beirut to Meet Top Officials and Palestinian Forces

The political leader of the Palestinian militant movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, arrived Sunday in Beirut on an official visit that is part of a tour that the Islamist movement’s leadership kicked off in the beginning of this month.

“This visit comes within the framework of capitalizing on the resistance’s great victory in the Sword of Jerusalem battle,” Haniyeh said in a press conference at Beirut airport.

“Lebanon’s visit always has special importance, seeing as it is an opportunity to meet the state officials, starting by the Presidency, the Speakership and the Premiership, in addition to the leaders of the Palestinian factions; the Lebanese resistance forces, parties and dignitaries; and the sons of the Palestinian people at the camps of resilience and return,” Haniyeh added.

He said his meetings will involve “the discussion of files of common interest, starting by the file of bilateral relations and means to coordinate them and develop them in a manner that serves the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples.”

The Palestinian leader also stressed that Hamas is holding onto “the right to return to the entire land of Palestine” and that it rejects the naturalization of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and the neighboring countries.