Hamas has invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Gaza, a Hamas official said. Hamas sources said Ahmadinejad responded positively to the invitation but said the visit is not likely to occur in the near future.

In an interview with the Fars news agency Tuesday in Gaza, Hamas Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Yousef said a visit by the Iranian president would boost the morale of the Palestinian people and the resistance.

“We invite Ahmadinejad to visit the Gaza Strip and we are confident that this trip will be of paramount importance,” Yousef told the Iranian Press TV network.

Such a visit will have a similar effect to Ahmadinejad’s visit last month to Lebanon where he praised the Lebanese people for their resistance and firm stand against Israel, Yousef said.

Hamas sources said Ahmadinejad responded positively to the invitation but said the visit is not likely to occur in the near future.

UPI