Palestinian President wants early elections

Tuesday January 01, 2008 12:21 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas invited Monday all Palestinian parties including the rival Hamas to early elections, in a televised speech from the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Palestinian Presidnet , Mahmoud Abbas

Abbas's call is apparently meant to revive Palestinian politics, which has been marred by a violent Hamas-Fatah power struggle since December2006, when he first called for such elections.

"I invite all parties for early elections and I call on Hamas to cede Gaza before any elections", Abbas was quoted as saying.

Hamas , which has been in control of Gaza since June2006, has been refusing to hold electioconstitutional'.

Hamas's spokesperson, Fawzi Barhoum, told a press conference yesterday " Abbas is betting on the Zionists and Americans not on a dialogue".

Abbas's call this time is unlike previous ones, bearing a reconciliatory tone.

While Abbas was speaking in Ramallah, six people were reportedly killed and 50 others wounded when Hamas-led forces banned by force celebrations, marking the 43 anniversary of Fatah founding.

Hamas and Fatah have been engaged in a power struggle since Abbas first called for early elections in December2006. The fight has so far claimed more than 450 Palestinian men, women and children.

In June2006, Hamas has taken complete control over Gaza, after routing Fatah-loyal security services. President Abbas of Fatah outlawed the Islamist group and formed a caretaker government in Ramallah, comprised mainly of Fatah.

Hamas won the January 2006's parlaimentary elections, for which the international community and Israel boycotted a Hamas-led government. Hamas now insists that any elections should be held by 2010.

In a time the secular Fatah's government is committed to peace-making with Israel, Hamas continues to call for a long-time truce with the Israeli state, a proposal Israel has already rejected.

ramallah | palestinian politics | news report rami at imemc dot org