Gunmen storm Palestinian parliament (Reuters) Updated: 2006-01-29 09:39 ISRAEL TESTS ABBAS
"We will not under any circumstances agree to speak with Hamas," he told
Israel's Channel 2 television. "If Hamas chooses a way of terror and violence
like before ... it will come under an unprecendented Israeli attack."
Hamas leaders have also ruled out peace talks with the Jewish state. Mofaz
said Israel would negotiate only with Abbas and would wait to see if he disarmed
militants, as required by a U.S.-backed peace "road map," before deciding its
next steps.
Both Abbas and interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was chosen to
run in Ariel Sharon's place in a March 28 ballot after Sharon suffered a stroke
last month, have vowed to follow the peace plan, which has been stalled by
violence.
In a message clearly aimed at Hamas, Palestinian Authority police commander
Ala Hosni said the Islamist group would not be in charge of security forces
because they came under the authority of President Abbas.
"The security institution is the only guarantee to prevent sedition and civil
war. Civil war began in Somalia after the collapse of the army and security
institutions," Hosni said.
Fatah leaders have so far rejected joining any coalition with Hamas, and it
could take weeks to form one anyway. Popular jailed Fatah leader Marwan
Barghouthi urged an orderly transfer of power to Hamas.
Hamas leaders are preparing to set up a government by themselves if need be,
after winning votes from Palestinians tired with corruption and Fatah's failure
to deliver a state, as well as supportive of a Hamas suicide bombing campaign.
The United States has said it will review aid to the Palestinian Authority if
Hamas enters government and Israel suggested it could suspend customs revenue
transfers. The European Union, the biggest donor, is looking at its options.
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told Reuters that the group could turn toward
sources in the Arab world if the West cut off funding.
In Damascus, Meshaal said that not only would Hamas not disarm but it would
form a new Palestinian security force which would be an "army like every country
... an army to defend our people against aggression."
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