Abbas delays Palestinian referendum decree

Ramallah (West Bank), Jun 6: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today gave Hamas several more days to agree to a referendum over a proposal for statehood that implicitly recognises Israel, an official said.

''Before the end of the week, President Abbas will hold a news conference to announce the holding of the referendum and the beginning of the process for carrying it out,'' said Yasser Abed Rabbo, an official close to Abbas.

''We, of the PLO Executive Committee, have approved his move and therefore Hamas has until the end of the week to change its position and accept the ... document,'' Abed-Rabbo said after Abbas briefed the forum on the deadline extension.

REUTERS