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Exclusive: Hamas' Meshaal Says Latest US Peace Efforts 'Will Fail'

In an exclusive telephone interview with Adnan Abu Amer for Al-Monitor, Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas's political bureau, spoke about US efforts to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and more.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (R) and Mohammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas leadership, speak to media after their meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman January 28, 2013.  REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3D30A
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (R) and Mohammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas leadership, speak to media after their meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jan. 28, 2013. — REUTERS/Majed Jaber

Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas' political bureau, said that the efforts of US Secretary of State John Kerry to revive peace talks did not include a serious vision for a just solution to the [Palestinian-Israeli] issue.

According to Meshaal, Kerry did not put any pressure on the Israeli side, which occupies Palestinian land. Rather, Kerry was content with directing pressure at Arab parties and the Palestinian presidency, pushing them to carry out repeated pro forma projects that were far removed from the essence of the conflict and the issue. Therefore, Meshaal said, these attempts will fail, as they have in the past.

In an exclusive telephone interview with Adan Abu Amer for Al-Monitor — the first interview Meshaal has given since being re-elected as the leader of Hamas — Meshaal added that the recent elections carried out by the movement constituted a genuine opportunity to practice what it preaches in terms of democratic behavior. This was represented by a renewed formation of the movement's leadership and bringing in new blood. Meanwhile, all of the movement's leaders have maintained their roles, as well as their place of respect in the hearts and souls of all their brothers, Meshaal told Abu Amer. 

Here is a full transcript of the interview: 

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