Hamas rejected an offer by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recognizing the Hamas- dominated parliament in exchange for extending Abbas' term as president, a Hamas source said Thursday.
The parliament, known as the Palestinian Legislative Council ( PLC), has been disabled due to differences between Hamas and Fatah and the Israeli detentions of Hamas lawmakers in the West Bank.
"Abbas' offer was put forward by Egyptian mediators and Hamas rejected it," the source said, adding the offer includes the recognition of the current PLC presidency which was selected by Hamas lawmakers alone."
"We Hamas believe Abbas' offer was meant to extend his term and we in Hamas consider the PLC active and not disabled," the source said.
Hamas won a landslide victory in 2006 but Israel arrested many Hamas lawmakers in the West Bank a few months later in response to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier in Gaza.
In June 2007, Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and took over control of security installations in the Gaza Strip. As a result, Fatah legislators boycotted the PLC and its resolutions became non- binding.
Hamas vows to appoint the deputy speaker of the PLC, Ahmed Bahar, as a president for 60 days when Abbas' term ends in January 2009. But Abbas argue that a new amendment authorizes him to stay in office until the PLC term ends in 2010.
Next month, Egypt will host a national Palestinian dialogue in a bid to settle the crisis between Hamas and Fatah. The issue of Abbas' presidency would be discussed in special committees that will emerge from the dialogue.
(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2008)
