News Analysis: Hamas Leader Set To Step Down

What’s the Story? Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Hamas, has announced that he does not want to stand for re-election later this year.

Is he planning on joining Tony Blair on the international speaking circuit?  Possible but highly unlikely

How has Hamas reacted to the announcement?  Not well.  They’ve said it’s not the decision of one man alone but the organisation collectively.

Not much ‘sweet talking’ there.  Hamas is hardly known for issuing statements with an abundance of ‘sugar coating’.

Are there any candidates to take over from him? The possible candidates will likely take time to emerge but an early favourite is Ismail Haniyeh, head of Gaza’s government.

How long has Mr Meshaal held the leadership position?  He was appointed overall head of Hamas in 2004, after Israel assassinated the movement’s founder, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, and his successor Abdel Asiz Rantissi.

He’s done well to last more than seven years as leader, hasn’t he? Indeed, he occupies one of the more precarious political posts.

Is there a back story to this?  Tensions between so-called military hardliners and moderates have grown over the past year as the movement’s allies, the Muslim Brotherhood, have enjoyed increasing success at the ballot box following the Arab Spring.  Mr Meshaal’s announcement has been viewed as a victory for the more hardline elements based in Gaza.

When will the election take place? Some time later this year. Hamas tends to keep the dates of its top pow-wows secret for pretty obvious reasons.

The interruption of the agenda by a Tomahawk cruise missile perhaps?  Always a possibility.

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