Hamas pushes for elections in Palestine

Gaza, Jan 12: The Hamas and several other groups in Gaza, Sunday, called on the Palestinian unity government to prepare for elections.

According to a Xinhua report, leaders of Islamist and left-wing groups met in Gaza at the request of the Hamas, to discuss the "neglect of Gaza". The leaders of the Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did not attend the meeting.

A joint statement issued after the meeting called for forming a national committee that would follow up the implementation of the reconciliation agreements signed between the Hamas and the Fatah.

"We discussed the painful consequences, which were a result of a stalemate in implementing the reconciliation deals and understandings," said the joint statement.

It also called on the unity government to bear its responsibilities in following up its missions, prepare for holding elections in Palestine and care more for Gaza, which suffers from a deterioration in economic and humanitarian conditions.

The meeting was held after Hamas leaders threatened that if the unity government kept ignoring the interests of the Gaza Strip, they would look at other alternatives.

A senior Islamic Hamas official Saturday accused the Palestinian unity government of failure and said that his movement is studying alternatives to it.

The Palestinian unity government was formed in June following an agreement between the Fatah and the Hamas.

It has accused the Hamas of keeping its grip on the Gaza Strip's security and obstructing the functioning of the government in this enclave that has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.

IANS