The majority of Hamas leaders have left Damascus and the tensions between the Palestinian movement and the Syrian regime have reached their peak, London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat reported Wednesday, quoting an Islamic source. According to the source, Syrian President Bashar Assad has refused to meet with Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal after the latter called for reforms in Syria following the oppression of opposition protestors.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's attempts to mediate between the two have been futile. The source noted that apart from Mashaal, the movement's leaders have left Syria in favor of several countries.
Mashaal's deputy, Moussa Abu Marzouk, reportedly left Damascus for Amman. According to the source, Jordan agreed to take him in under the condition that he avoids engaging in any political activity on its territory.
The Hamas leadership was deported from Jordan about a decade ago before settling in Syria.
| Hmmm: would it be easier for Mossad to reach out and touch Moussa if he's in Amman, or would that just create problems needlessly? |