[elstatec]

[quote:5015e]Middle East In Turmoil
Updated: 11:51, Thursday January 26, 2006

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked militant group Hamas to form a new government after its apparent election victory.

The shock result - still to be confirmed - has left the Middle East in turmoil.

The radical group has insisted it will not negotiate with Israel, while Israel and the US refuse to deal with Hamas until it renounces violence.

Ruling party Fatah had been expected to win the Palestinians' first parliamentary elections in a decade.

Official results are expected later today but the Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and his cabinet have already resigned.

Sky News Middle East correspondent Emma Hurd said Hamas had expected to gain opposition seats, not take power.

As he quit, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei said: "This is the choice of the people. It should be respected."

But Fatah said it would not be forging a political alliance with its rivals.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the US, and the group has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel.

Israel has repeatedly asked Mr Abbas to force Hamas and other militant groups to disarm.

But Mr Abbas refused, warning such an act could cause civil war.

Hamas' looming victory would not automatically unseat Mr Abbas but he might resign if it stops him pursuing a peace policy.
[/quote:5015e]


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