Hamas leader rules out declaring Gaza state

Paris, June 16: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has ruled out setting up a separate Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip after his Islamists routed forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Asked if he intended to declare Gaza a state after taking control of the territory, Haniyeh said in an interview with France's Le Figaro daily published today ''No. Gaza belongs to all the Palestinian people and not just Hamas.'' Haniyeh, who has refused to accept his dismissal as prime minister by Abbas yesterday, added: ''Separation is not on the agenda and never will be.''

REUTERS

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