Hamas rejects Abbas's orders but proposes talks

GAZA, June 19 (Reuters) Hamas today rejected President Mahmoud Abbas's 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 that the Islamist group was ready to hold talks with Abbas's Fatah faction to try to find common ground. Fatah has rejected dialogue with the group following its violent takeover of Gaza.

REUTERS JK KN1654