Hamas rejects PLO call

2005-01-17 14:54

Gaza City - Hamas dismissed on Monday a demand by the Palestine Liberation Organisation to halt attacks against Israel, saying such a call helped Israel justify its military operations in the occupied territories.

"We are sorry to say that some people are using this name (the PLO) to issue a demand which is at odds with the aims of the Palestinian people," said Sami Abu Zuhri, speaking for the radical Islamist group.

"This kind of statement only helps the Zionist enemy and gives it an excuse to continue the occupation and legalises its aggressions."

The PLO's decision-making executive committee issued a statement on Sunday which called for an end to military acts which it said harmed "the national interest" and gave the Israeli government an excuse to stall the peace process.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon severed all contacts with the Palestinian Authority in the wake of a suicide attack on a border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip which was carried out by Hamas and two other armed factions.

Newly-elected Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, who is also chairman of the PLO, has called for an end to the armed uprising and is trying to persuade groups such as Hamas to agree on a new ceasefire.

Abu Zuhri confirmed that the leadership of Hamas in its Gaza stronghold would hold talks with Abbas here on Wednesday.

Abbas has given his security services orders to prevent attacks by the militant groups although Israel is pushing him to dismantle what it calls "the terrorist infrastructure."

- AFP