Chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) Salim Zanoun stated on Sunday that he sent written invitations to the members of the PNC preparatory committee for the meetings that will be held on 10th and 11th January 2017 in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
Zanoun said in a press statement that these invitations were sent after a series of consultations between the Palestinian factions including Hamas and Islamic Jihad and in accordance with a decision issued by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on 27th December 2016.
He added that the meetings of the preparatory committee aim to continue the consultations and hold a successful regular session of the PNC that contributes to the restoration of the unity of the Palestinian political system and paves the way to general elections. The meetings will also address the current Palestinian situation in general according his statement.
Hamas recently warned of any attempt to convene the PNC without implementing what was agreed upon while the Islamic Jihad stressed the need to consult within the provisional leadership framework of the PLO before convening the council.
The PNC is considered as the PLO’s parliament and it includes representatives from the Palestinian factions and unions inside the Palestinian territories and abroad as well as the 132 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
According to PNC website with more than 750 members the council held 22 regular and emergency sessions. The latest session was held in the Gaza Strip in 1996.
The latest emergency session of the PNC was held in December 2009 in Ramallah after the death of Samir Ghosheh member of the Executive Committee of the PLO to fill 6 vacancies in the committee.
