Hamas wants guarantees from rival Fatah over elections

Palestines' Hamas wants guarantees that rival Fatah party, headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, would recognize the results of any future elections, an official from the Islamic movement said Monday. Salah al-Bardaweel, a spokesperson for Hamas which controls Gaza, said that his movement was studying a proposal from Fatah that general elections would be held six months after the two parties form a unity government. He added that these proposals and efforts increase momentum for national reconciliation. Fatah has been based in the West Bank since it lost days of street fighting against Hamas militants in 2007. Within days, Bardaweel says, Hamas will respond to Fatah proposal, but with a question over the guarantees and how Hamas members in the West Bank can participate freely in the elections. On Sunday, representatives of Palestinian factions held a meeting in Gaza to discuss reconciliation. In return, Fatah asked Hamas for written guarantees that it accepts the formation of a unity government and elections to follow, said Faisal Abu Shahla. He added that Fatah only got verbal acceptance from Hamas. Hamas and Fatah reached several reconciliation agreements over the past three years, but differences over elections and security thwarted the power-sharing pacts.