(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Prime Minister of the Palestinian national concord government Dr. Rami Al-Hamad promised Wednesday that his government would work to solve all problems of Gaza Strip.
"The government is committed to achieving full national concord, partnership and liberation," Al-Hamad said in a press conference upon his arrival here from Beit Hanoun crossing point, to the northeast of the Strip, leading a senior-level delegation.
He noted that his two-day visit to came at the behest of President Mahmoud Abbas with a view to holding consultations with the leaders of the various Palestinian factions on how to alleviate the suffering of the residents of Gaza.
Referring to the de facto division between the Strip and the West Bank, he said: "President Abbas is closely following up the situations in Gaza and believes that there should be only one Palestinian state." "The government cannot accept Gaza separation (from the rest of the Palestinian territories). Gaza will be part of the independent state of Palestine and we will implement a range of rehabilitation projects in the areas of infrastructure, including the power generating plants," he said.
On the delayed payments to the civil servants in Gaza Strip, Dr. Al-Hamad said the government worked out a plan for solving this problem in the framework of the understandings of the concord deal (with Hamas movement which rules Gaza).
"The government prioritizes solving the problems of the civil servants but this problem cannot be solved without (Hamas) handing over the control over the border crossings of the Strip," he made clear.
Regarding the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza Strip, he said his government set aside USD 800 million to this process and pins hopes on the donors to honor their financial commitments.
Soon after Al-Hamad made his press remarks, Spokesman of Hamad Movement Sami Abu-Zuhri reacted angrily to his comments on the payments of employees in Gaza.
"Instead of solving the crises of Gaza, particularly the salaries in arrears, Prime Minister Al-Hamad attached preconditions and sought to enshrine the policy of discrimination against the civil servants (in Gaza)," Abu-Zuhri said.
"Due to discrimination against the Gazans, Al-Hamad's government failed to be a genuine government of national concord representing all the Palestinian people," he argued.
The Hamas Spokesman called on the prime minister to develop quick and practical solutions to the problems of the Strip "away from pretexts and preconditions." Meanwhile, other Palestinian groups welcomed Al-Hamad's visit to the Strip and voiced hope that the visit will help solve the vital issues affecting the daily life of the residents of Gaza.
These include the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Fatah Movement (ruling in the West Bank) and the Palestinian People's Party (PPP).
Al-Hamad started his consultations with the faction leaders tonight and will continue them tomorrow; this is his second visit to Gaza since forming his government late last May.
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