Hamas PM to Visit Iran

Yusef Rizka, an adviser to Ismail Haniyeh, said Thursday that the Hamas Prime Minister will embark on his second official international tour at the end of the month, with Iran and Qatar atop his itinerary.

Haniyeh returned this week from a trip to Egypt, Sudan, Turkey and Tunisia, which marked the first time he had left Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007.

Hamas says the visits prove that it has achieved international recognition,and indicates the growing power of Islamic groups in the region.