In draft resolution, likely to be adopted, a top PLO body asked Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday to hold early presidential and legislative elections.

On Wednesday, Abbas asked the Palestine Central Council to endorse such elections. The council is dominated by members from Abbas' Fatah movement and is likely to approve the idea.

The Islamic militant Hamas, which won parliament elections last year and took control of Gaza by force last month, vehemently opposes holding new elections.

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Saleh Rafat, head of the Central Council's drafting committee, said the council would be asked to approve a resolution calling for early elections.

The draft also demands that Hamas reverse its Gaza takeover. A formal decision is expected late Thursday or early Friday.

In his address to the Central Council on Wednesday, the PA chairman heaped criticism on Hamas because of its violent takeover of Gaza last month, declaring "even the devil cannot match their lies."

Abbas repeated his charge that Hamas carried out a coup against him in Gaza. "Nothing can justify the crime of the coup they committed," he said. "Hamas is committing capital crimes, bloody crimes against our people every day, every minute, every hour. There will be no dialogue until they return Gaza to what it was before."

In Gaza on Wednesday, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the Central Council has no authority to call new elections. "This will mean a new coup for the Palestinian democracy," he said. "The recommendation of this council is illegal."