Hamas looks to Algeria
Algeria’s approval to open a Hamas office in the country may prompt regional and international pressure against it.
Deputy Chairman of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk said Aug. 29 during an interview on Algerian TV channel El Bilad that a Hamas representative office was opened in Algeria a few days earlier, without specifying the exact date. Hamas had submitted a request to the Algerian authorities, which approved and welcomed the idea. Hamas leader Mohammed Othman was appointed supervisor of the office affairs.
Hamas made its announcement during the official six-day visit of some of its leaders to Algeria, including Abu Marzouk, Othman and Hamas’ foreign relations chief Osama Hamdan. The Hamas officials met with Algerian factional, public and official figures during the visit, which took place Aug. 25-31 and included press conferences.
