Gaza - The radical Islamic Hamas movement on Saturday
asserted it would not hand over Gaza Strip ministries and security
compounds in exchange for dialogue with President Mahmoud Abbas of
rival Fatah.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was commenting on reports by local
independent news agency Maan which said that Hamas had accepted to
give up the Gaza facilities, including crossing points, to the
Palestinian presidency.
'All the information in Maan's report are untrue and aim at
creating more troubles,' Abu Zuhri said. He added his movement was
interested in dialogue, but accused Abbas and Fatah of 'blocking the
talks by outlining unacceptable preconditions.'
Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June after fierce fighting
against pro-Abbas security forces. Since then, Abbas fired a Hamas-
led government and formed a cabinet to rule from the West Bank.
According to Maan, Hamas has accepted to abandon control over
civil ministries of Gaza, such as health, planning and education,
while telling Arab mediators that the security facilities 'will be
left for Hamas and Fatah delegations when future talks are held.'
The report added that Hamas leaders would gather in Saudi Arabia
to discuss the new developments. The Kingdom, Qatar, Sudan and Yemen
have asked Hamas to accept Abbas' conditions to dialogue 'to serve
the national interest.'
To talk with Hamas, Abbas wants the Islamic movement to 'retreat
from the coup and its consequences, abide by the Palestinian
Liberation Organization's (PLO) commitments and accepting early
elections.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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