Ma'an -- Hamas has confirmed that senior leader Khalid Mash'al is in Cairo to present the movement's response to Egypt's latest proposal for a Palestinian coalition or unity government.According to spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum in Gaza, Mash'al is in Cairo alongside Muhammad Nasser, and Moussa Abu Marzuq, who are also members of Hamas' Political Bureau in Damascus.
Joining them will be a delegation of top leaders from Gaza, including Mahmoud Az-Zahhar, Khalil Al-Haya and Nizar Awadallah, who departed for Cairo on Sunday.
"A delegation on such a level may reflect Hamas' seriousness and high sense of responsibility in dealing with the Egyptian proposal in a way that would guarantee bringing success to the Egypt's efforts toward reconciliation," Barhoum told Ma'an in a phone call.
"Hamas' response comes to reinforce real partnership to restore the prerequisites of the Palestinians including the democratic prerequisite, and all that would restore the Palestinian rights and principles to end division," he added.
The leaders will meet with Egypt's intelligence chief, Omar Sulaiman, the powerful official in charge of mediating between Hamas and its archrival Fatah, and in indirect talks between Hamas and Israel toward a prisoner swap.
Although Fatah has not yet issued its official reply, it all indications suggest that the rivals are at odds over Egypt's latest proposal, particularly over the issue of elections. Fatah wants the polls to go ahead as scheduled on 25 January, while Hamas believes that more time is needed to prepare. The Egyptian plan calls for elections in early 2010, as opposed to January 2010 specifically.
Hamas leader Ahmad Yousef, an advisor to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, told Ma'an in an interview last week that that the latest proposal is the best he has seen to date.
"I think this time there is a glimmer of hope and room for optimism, more than all the rounds of talks, which was a lot of difficulties and everyone tried to make obstacles, but I think this time the Egyptian vision addressed both Fatah and Hamas demands," said Yousef.
Fatah parliamentary leader Azzam Al-Ahmad, who has been involved in the negotiations with Hamas, told Ma'an earlier in September that he was "astonished" that the Egyptian proposal did not call for the elections to take place as scheduled.