Abdel-Rahman: Hamas must end its 'coup' before dialogue will be renewed

Saturday November 03, 2007 15:47 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

Ahmed Abdel-Rahman, official spokesman of the Fatah movement and political advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on Friday rejected a proposal that Hamas and Fatah resume talks.

Ahmed Abdel-Rahman - File 2007

Abdel-Rahman said the President's stand on this issue is clear: no dialogue until Hamas revokes its so-called 'coup' in Gaza.

The spokesman also noted that this position was held not only by the President, but also by the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), in addition to the Fatah Central Committee and the Central Council, which met twice for the purpose of clarifying their stance on this issue.

Hamas took control of Gaza nearly eighteen months after the party was elected by a majority of Palestinians, but since Hamas is not accepted by the U.S. and Israel, they are considered 'illegitimate' by a number of foreign countries and institutions.

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