Hamas, Islamic Jihad refuse part in new Palestinian government

The Palestinians Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad announced yesterday their rejection to take part in any new Palestinian. government.

One of the Hamas leaders in Gaza, Abdul Aziz al-Ranteisi said that the movement has its position regarding participation in the Palestinian government. He commented "we have clearly indicated that this phase is of a national liberation, rather of forming a cabinet." He stressed that the movement's rejection to participating in any government whose program depends on Oslo agreements and recognition of the state of Israel.

Al-Ranteisi stressed the approval of his movement of an invitation for a meeting due to have been held yesterday evening.

For his part, one of the leading figures of the Islamic Jihad movement, Muhammad al-Hindi, said a delegation representing the movement was due to meet with Abbas. He stressed rejection of the movement to join the new Palestinian government, considering that joining the ministry does not represent, regarding the movement's view point, a priority for the Palestinian people, adding that the priority is to challenge the aggression and continued Israeli occupation.