Gaza City - A Hamas leader on Saturday revealed that Egypt proposed the formation of a national committee to liaise between the Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the Fatah government in West Bank. The suggestion was made as part of Egyptian efforts earlier this month to reconcile Hamas and the Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, after the two factions failed to agree on the political platform of a unity government.

"The committee would be a political reference for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and coordinate between the two territories," said Salah al-Bardaweel, a Hamas lawmaker in the Gaza Strip.

"The Ramallah government would have a political programme committed to the (peace) deals with Hamas not opposing its resolutions in this context."

Al-Bardaweel said the proposal arose in the last hours of the third round of inter-Palestinian dialogue in Cairo earlier this month. "Its features and shape were not yet clear and we will inquire about it more during the coming round of talks that will resume on April 26."

Hamas, which won the Gaza legislative elections in 2006, said it would not join a unity government that would commit to peace deal that includes recognition of Israel. Fatah argues it is necessay to secure international recognition of the Palestinian government.

Currently, Hamas controls the Gaza Strip with its own administration, formed after routing pro-Abbas forces and ousting his Fatah movement in 2007. Abbas consolidates his rule in the West Bank. (dpa)