Palestinian cabinet quits after Hamas’ election victory

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei and his cabinet announced their resignation on Thursday after the resistance group HAMAS claimed victory in the parliamentary election, dealing a major blow to leader MAHMOUD ABBAS' FATAH party.

"HAMAS has won more than 70 seats in Gaza and the West Bank, which gives it more than 50 percent of the vote," said Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of the group.

Speaking to Reuters reporters, Haniyeh said that the numbers he gave are based on the initial ballot counts from HAMAS representatives at polling stations.

Also FATAH officials, who refused to be named, affirmed that HAMAS won about 70 seats, which would give the group a majority in the 132-seat parliament.

The release of the polls official results, which were initially scheduled to be announced at 9 a.m., was delayed until the end of the day, the Palestinian Central Election Commission said. It gave no reason for the delay.

"This is the choice of the people. It should be respected," Qurei said. "If it's true (the results), then the president should ask Hamas to form a new government. For me, personally, I sent my resignation."

Under the law, ABBAS should ask the largest party in the new parliament, presumably HAMAS, to set up the new government. ABBAS was elected separately a year ago and remains president.

Correspondents say HAMAS’ victory would present a huge challenge for Israel and the international community and for the resistance group itself.

HAMAS’ participation in the election has angered Israel and the United States, who refuse to deal with a HAMAS-led Palestinian government.

A top FATAH member, Saeb Erekat, blamed Israel’s refusal to resume peace talks with a FATAH-led government for the party's poor showing.

"Israel has declared us non-partners about four years ago and they were not speaking to our elected president," he told Israel Army Radio. "Everybody was blaming FATAH for every mistake in the world. Everybody was tying our hands and our legs and throwing us into the sea. And now I think all these things, including our mistakes in FATAH, led to this result."

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday that Israel won‘t trust a Palestinian leadership in which HAMAS had a role.

But ABBAS said that he was ready to restart peace talks with the Israelis even if HAMAS joined the government.

"We are partners with the Israelis. They don't have the right to choose their partner. But if they are seeking a Palestinian partner, this partner exists," he said.

Meanwhile, senior HAMAS official Mushir al-Masri said the group wanted to work with FATAH in a "political partnership", but he said that HAMAS would not hold peace talks with Israel.

"Negotiations with Israel is not on our agenda," he said.

"Recognizing Israel is not on the agenda either now."

However, HAMAS leader Mahmoud Zahar said that the movement would declare its plans after the release of the official results.