Hamas rebuffs Abbas’ call for unity government

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas turned down an invitation by President Mahmoud Abbas to join his cabinet.

“Forming a unity government at this late time will not be useful,” said Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri.

Last week, Abbas invited Hamas to join his government in order to ensure a smooth transition in the Gaza Strip after the implementation of the Israeli withdrawal.

Al-Masri noted that Hamas hadn’t yet made a formal decision, but said that the group considers the invitation a ploy by the Palestinian Authority to delay the parliamentary elections in which Hamas is poised to win over Abbas’s Fatah movement.

“It would have been better if Fatah took a decision to hold the parliamentary election soon with the consultation with all factions so that a government can be formed in accordance with the choice of the people,” he said.

The parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for July 17, are now expected to be held after the implementation of the disengagement plan.

Earlier this year, Hamas won municipal elections in several West Bank and Gaza districts.

A top Hamas leader in the West Bank, Hassan Youssef, was also quoted by the Palestinian daily al-Quds as saying that the resistance groups would most probably reject Abbas' offer.

Abbas hopes that forming a unity government with Hamas could help keep order during the implementation of the disengagement plan and avoid a security vacuum afterwards.

He also believes that it would make Hamas committed to a ceasefire reached with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in February by giving the group a share in the Palestinian decision-making process.

Israel, which wants the disarmament of all Palestinian resistance groups, fears that Hamas will try to seize control over the Gaza Strip after it evacuates all Gaza settlements and four enclaves in the northern West Bank.

Abbas has pledged to ensure a smooth transfer of powers and to prevent fighters from firing on withdrawing soldiers and settlers.

The Palestinian leader also says he will ensure that the land Israel evacuates is taken over by his Palestinian Authority - not looters.