The Los Angeles Times’ Babylon & Beyond blog reports:

Hamas officials on Saturday denied reports that its top leaders are planning to move from Syria and relocate to Qatar or another Arab country.

“The leadership will remain there,” said Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan. “As far as I know, we were not told to move to any other country.” 

The London-based Alhayat newspaper reported Saturday that the Syrian government demanded Hamas leaders, who have been based in Damascus for about a decade, leave.

The newspaper said that Qatar had agreed to receive the movement’s politburo leader, Khaled Mashaal…

What do you guys think?

I interviewed Meshaal during one of his many visits to Doha last year. He is definitely a friend of the Qatari government, and moving the Hamas leadership base makes sense. Would love to hear your thoughts!