Hamas pledges support for new MB leader

Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas government in Gaza, called newly-appointed Muslim Brotherhood (MB) General Guide Mohamed Badie Thursday to pledge the Palestinian resistance group's support.

In an official statement, Haniyeh wished Badie "all the best," calling for the MB's continued support for Hamas and the besieged people of the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh also called Mahdi Akef, Badie's predecessor, thanking him for the support given to Hamas during the latter's term as MB general guide.

According to leading MB member Essam el-Erian, the Palestinian question remains a "strategic concern" for the group.

"Our relations with Palestine date back to the 1936 Al-Qassam revolution, before the formation of any Palestinian factions," said el-Erian. "In the days of [former Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat, we used to roll out the red carpet when he would visit our general guide in Cairo."

In a related development, Badie--in his first official act as general guide--appointed Guidance Bureau member Mahmoud Hussein as group secretary-general, replacing Mahmoud Ezzat.

Translated from the Arabic Edition.