Mukataa

The Muqataa or Muqata (Arabic مقاطعة Muqata ʿ a, district ", known as" headquarters ") in Al- Bireh exactly on the border to Ramallah ( West Bank) is the seat of the President of the Palestinian Authority and constitutes a military area

Location

The extensive grounds situated on the eastern side of the northern main road that leads to Bir Zeit. Since the municipal boundary between Ramallah and Al Bireh exactly at the west and south property line runs, the entire complex is located in the municipality of Al- Bireh.

History

This complex served Before 1948 the British also as the headquarters. They built during the mandate rule in the 1920s, a barracks, prison and other accommodations for officers. After 1948, took over and expanded the Jordanians, the Israelis in 1967, the area by further building. There, the offices of the Israeli military administration were housed.

After the Oslo peace accords in 1993, the Israelis moved their offices in the near Bet El and handed over the complex to the Palestinian Authority. From 1996 to November 2004 it was the headquarters and offices of the first Palestinian President Yasser Arafat ( 1929-2004 ). In September 2002, a portion of about 1 km ² large complex was destroyed during an Israeli military offensive. Three years was Arafat in his office under de facto house arrest. After his death in Paris, his body over Egypt was transferred by helicopter to the Muqataa where a state funeral was provided directly on the site. Due to the large crowds there were chaotic scenes, and the funeral was delivered quickly and informally on the stage. Over the grave was built as a tomb to 2007 a ​​mosque.

Under President Mahmoud Abbas, the complex was rebuilt. On the site was until 2007, the passport office, which has since been rebuilt next to the interior ministry in Al- Bireh. Thus, there are today in addition to the Office of the President only more representative building, the tomb of Arafat and a barracks of the presidential guard. There is also a helicopter landing pad.