LOC18:49
15:49 GMT
RAMALLAH, Feb 1 (KUNA) -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) set free here Friday Omar Al-Ghul - advisor to Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyadh.
Al-Ghul, a columnist of the pro-Fatah newspaper "Al-Hayat Al-Jadida," had been held by Hamas in Gaza for 49 days.
Emerging from Hamas-run prison here, Al-Ghul said the Palestinian national dialogue could be a success only if Hamas accepted the conditions of President Mahmoud Abbas.
The movement must give up its military control over Gaza Strip, Al-Ghul told reporters.
He asserted that he was kidnapped while "defending democracy and legitimacy.
" "The kidnap infringed on the political order and democracy in the Palestinian territories.
The act aimed to send a message of intimidation to other Palestinian official who intended to go to Gaza Strip," he underscored.
Al-Ghul accused Hamas of maltreating and torturing him especially in the early days of his capture.
Al-Ghul and Gaza bureau chief of the newspaper Munir Abu Rizq, were captured one day after their arrival in the strip from the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abu-Rizq is still in Hamas captivity.
Al-Ghul's release is the fruit of intensive mediation efforts made by Palestinian public figures and other factions. (end) nq.gb.
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