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Bethlehem - Ma'an – Senior Hamas leader Khalid Mash’al dismissed his deputy, Mousa Abu Marzouq and another leader because of their reported opposition to the dictates of Syria and Iran, according to the Kuwaiti newspaper “Politics.”

Quoting anonymous sources, the newspaper reported that Mash’al had Abu Marzouq and Imad Al-Alami replaced during Hamas’ internal elections over two weeks ago, specifically because they opposed Tehran and Damascus, which are against reconciliation with Fatah.

“The elections have many changes but still many details are hidden by Hamas … the removal of Abu Marzouk and Al-Alami were the result of pressure from Syria and Iran on Mash’al,” the newspaper’s source said.

According to the report, Mash’al was personally strengthened in the internal elections, which saw him reelected as the head of the group’s powerful Political Bureau. Mash'al is opposed to reconciliation with Fatah.

The report also states that Mash’al had the two leaders dismissed in exchange for a promise of continued support from Iran.