Hamas appreciates Lebanese presidential pardon

Hamas hailed Lebanese president Michel Suleiman for issuing a special pardon for the Palestinian prisoner Yousef Shaaban, hoping that other humanitarian steps would be taken to close once and for all the Palestinian detainees” file.

Ali Baraka, in-charge of the Movement”s political affairs in Lebanon, in a statement on Sunday described the pardon as a “courageous and humanitarian step“.

He hoped that the step and other similar ones in future would further enhance relations between the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples.

Baraka appealed to president Suleiman, “who is well known for his patriotic stands and support for the Palestine cause”, to endorse the civil rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

Hamas congratulated Shaaban for his release and hoped that he would be out of jail soon.