TUNIS, Jan 5 (KUNA) -- Prime Minister of the Palestinian government in Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh arrived here on Thursday on a five-day visit to Tunisia after a similar visit to Turkey.
He was received at Tunis-Carthage Airport by Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi El-Jebali and Rashed El-Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamic Al-Nahdha (renaissance) movement which leads the three-party ruling coalition, as well as several senior officials.
Soon after his arrival, Haniyeh held talks with El-Jebali at El-Qasaba Palace.
Speaking to reporters, the Hamas leader said: "My visit aims primarily to break the unfair political and economic embargo imposed by the Israeli occupation authority on Gaza Strip since 2006." "If the world neglected us in the past, I daresay the Arab Spring, which started from Tunisia, did justice to Gaza and to our democratically-elected government," he affirmed.
He added that to support the Palestinian people, particularly those suffering from the Zionist blockade, is a religious and national commitment for the Tunisian people.
Addressing the Tunisians, he said: "You offered an example to be followed by other nations in the region by forming an integrated government that combines the Islamic, nationalist and liberal trends and creating a new reality that respects democracy and coexistence." On his part, El-Jebali welcomed Haniyeh and renewed the support of the Tunisian people and government for the Palestinian people.
During his five-day stay here, Haniyeh plans to hold talks with President Moncef Marzouki and El-Ghannouchi, as well other senior government officials. (end) nm.gb KUNA 060030 Jan 12NNNN¬