Islam Times - Hamas Sources Deny Politburo’s Move from Damascus

Islam Times - A Hamas movement sources denied in an interview with Al-Manar Website allegations that the movement's political bureau will be moved from Damascus, “at least for the time being.”

However, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri refused to comment on the news, adding that the movement will issue an official statement to clarify what some news agencies have circulated.

Reuters news agency claimed that the head of Hamas Political Bureau Khaled Meshaal has effectively left his headquarters in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The agency quoted diplomatic and intelligence sources that Meshaal is not staying in Syria as he used to do “there's still a Hamas presence there, but it's insignificant.” “The expected residence for Meshaal is Qatar where he may stay most of the time until the Syria smoke has cleared,” Reuters quoted the sources as saying.

A Palestinian official in Gaza told AFP that Hamas will not close its offices in Damascus and will not leave the country. “Although for reasons of security some leaders may feel obliged at times to leave the country,” he said.