Senior Palestinian Authority officials recently held discussions with Egyptian intelligence leadership, according to Arab media reports. The talks centered on what participants described as "the Palestinian arena," including Israeli activities in the West Bank and plans for upcoming elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Hassan Rashad, head of Egyptian intelligence, and other senior Egyptian officials met in recent weeks with PA leaders, including Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, according to sources with ties to the discussions. The conversations addressed Israeli expansion in the West Bank and the PA's intention to hold elections for its legislative body in Ramallah. Egyptian officials may have expressed concerns about the potential for Hamas to increase its representation in the Palestinian parliament, the reports suggest.
