President Abbas
Photo: AFP
Fatah cuts off ties with Hamas
Abbas' organization decides not to hold any dialog or meeting with Hamas due to its violent takeover of Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas rejects president's decree outlawing group
Fatah's Central Committee decided Tuesday to cut off all contacts with Hamas, in support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said.
"The Committee decided not to hold any negotiations, dialog or meetings with Hamas, until it puts an end to the military coup in the Gaza Strip. there will be no contacts between Fatah and Hamas at any level," a statement released by the Committee said.
Meanwhile, Hamas rejected on Tuesday President Abbas' decree outlawing the group's Executive Force and said the real Palestinian government was still headed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas.
Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya told reporters in Gaza the Islamist group was ready to hold talks with Abbas' Fatah faction to try to find common ground.
"Hamas rejects the decision by Abu Mazen (Abbas) to outlaw the Executive Force because his decision contradicts the law," Hayya said. "The current government of national unity is the legitimate caretaker government and we do not recognize the emergency government."
Reuters contributed to the report
