Hamas won´t recognize Abbas as President

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-07-2008 09:06

Hamas says it will not recognize Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian president after the 8th of January next year saying the post will be filled with one of its own leaders.

Hamas lawmakers are seen next to pictures of others held in Israeli jails during a session by the deposed government at the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza City, Monday ,Oct. 6, 2008.( AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

The announcement came on Monday, after Hamas's legislators passed a resolution that demands Abbas issue a decree by Wednesday to hold new presidential elections within three months.

If he does not, Hamas says it will install parliament's deputy speaker, Ahmed Bahar, as Abbas' temporary successor until elections are held.

The resolution suggested that Abbas' term could be extended if it were deemed to be in the "national interest".

The move marked another step in the growing rift between the rival Hamas and Fatah movements.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei