Hamas has rejected a call to be part of the Palestinian cabinet, snubbing President Mahmoud Abbas who wants a unity government to help him control the Gaza Strip after Israel's pullout, which is expected to start next month.
Abbas last week offered a place for all factions in his government. "Hamas has decided to reject the offer of Fatah movement to join a national unity government," Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri said. "Forming a unity government at this late time will not be useful."
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told The Associated Press that this decision would not harm relations between the movement and Abbas' Fatah party. He called for the formation of a committee of representatives of all Palestinian factions to work out a plan on how to deal with Israel's planned withdrawal.
