Hamas's foreign relations official Osama Hamdan said head of the political bureau Khaled Mashaal's decision not to accept his candidacy for the presidency of the Movement was taken after in-depth consideration. In a press release, Hamdan categorically denied the claims saying that Mashaal took his decision in this regard as a result of internal disputes. He affirmed that senior Hamas leaders tried diligently to dissuade Mashaal from his decision, especially in light of the events in the region, but he insisted on not accepting the renewal of his post. The Hamas official added that Mashaal told Hamas leaders during a recent meeting that his decision was taken after in-depth study of the reality of the Movement, the Palestinian cause and the region with the intention of making way for the new blood in the Movement. The official noted that Mashaal is characterized as being a leading figure in the Movement since its inception and thus knowing every detail about it, adding that Hamas, under his leadership, made quantum leaps forward in its resistance activities and its political relations.