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Fahmi: Cabinet may discuss Hamas disarmament bid Friday

Fahmi: Cabinet may discuss Hamas disarmament bid Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not yet discussed recent calls by several Arab nations for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter may be raised at the cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday.
"As of now, the cabinet has not discussed the issue. It may be raised at this Friday's meeting," he told reporters after officiating the International Connectivity Conference and Expo today.
Fahmi, who is also the government spokesman, said matters involving foreign policy would be handled by Wisma Putra.
"Any developments on political matters concerning international affairs will be provided by Wisma Putra and discussed accordingly," he said.
Several Arab countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, recently issued a joint call for Hamas to disarm and withdraw from Gaza to help end the 21-month conflict with Israel.
Previously, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia's support for the Palestinian people is based on principle and is not an endorsement of any specific group.
He said Malaysia has always supported the Palestinian cause and their right to statehood, not any specific political faction, including Hamas.
"Many have asked, including my counterparts, why Malaysia appears to support Hamas.
"We have made it clear that we are not supporting Hamas. We are supporting the Palestinian cause, and Hamas is just part of the Palestinian landscape," he said.
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