( Cihan ) - Hamas has requested Turkey's intervention as a mediator between themselves and Fatah, in the wake of their takeover of Gaza last week.
The request was made by Mahmoud Zahar, the number two man of Hamas and former foreign minister of the Hamas government, after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ruled out dialogue with Hamas.
Palestinians are being dragged into a civil war and Turkey can assist the sides to reach an agreement, Zahar said. " Turkey can help the Palestinians, who have been pushed into a corner by gas restrictions, embargos and poverty. It can mediate between the groups in Palestine and prevent unfair international embargos on Palestine," Zahar added, and lashed out at Abbas for rejecting dialogue and describing Hamas as "murderers and terrorists."
Hamas seized power in Gaza this last week, fearing that an American-sponsored warlord, Mohammed Dahlan, would enact a coup and deny Hamas the governing role granted it in the elections last year.
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has called for the dissolving of the Palestinian parliament and for new elections to be held, while saying that no dialogue can be held with Hamas.