A senior official of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said here Sunday the Palestinian Fatah movement is not keen in boosting relations with Syria.

Ahmad Jibreel, Damascus-based secretary general of PFLP General Command, made the remarks in an interview with the Syrian daily Al- Watan. He argued that Fatah's efforts to get close to Syria is a tactical act.

A few days ago, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party delegated its intelligence chief Majed Faraj to Damascus. Faraj told the Syrians Abbas' desire to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

An exchange of words took place between al-Assad and Abbas at the Arab summit at the Libyan Sirte city in October, regarding direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Jibreel extended his doubts saying that Fatah party is not keen to put an end to the dispute with its Islamic rival Hamas, Al- Watan said.

In September, Hamas and Fatah agreed on taking steps towards inter-Palestinian reconciliation. They, however, failed in November to reach an agreement on partnership in the Palestinian security forces.