Last update - 00:00 22/07/2007
Hamas outlines basis for reconciliation with rival Fatah
By DPA
Deposed Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday outlined a "basis" for reconciliation with Fatah after his group's violent seizure of the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh's vision includes the restructuring of Palestinian Authority security services formerly manned mostly by rival Fatah, respecting signed Hamas-Fatah deals and staging a general national reconciliation.
Speaking at the Hamas-run Islamic University of Gaza, he also said Palestinians should "protect their national principles and rights, respecting the legitimacy and dealing with the democratic choice as the solo option for rotating the authority."
"Any talks should go according to the principles rather than [U.S. President George] Bush's vision," he said.
Meanwhile, the Hamas leader, who deposed by Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas in the wake of internecine fighting, sent a message to those Fatah people who remained in Gaza, urging them to "take advantage of the new situation."
Reacting to reports alleging Hamas abuse of Fatah partisans, Haniyeh stressed that no one had been detained for political reasons. Earlier, a spokesman for Hamas' Executive Force said the arrests had been made as part of the fight against crime.
Haniyeh also called on his new Fatah counterpart in the Gaza Strip, Zakariya al-Agha, for a meeting "to resolve any problem."
Fatah's Abbas has banned any dialogue with Hamas unless the latter reverses its "coup" in Gaza.