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Abbas Warns He Might Resign

2006-1-19 13:59:42 CRIENGLISH.com

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he might resign if the government formed after the January 25 parliamentary elections opposes his policies, including peace talks with Israel.

"I have struggled and fought so that Hamas would come to the legislative council. So I cannot say if Hamas comes, I shall withdraw. I say precisely that there is a political project which I am working on, and if I feel I cannot implement this programme, then, the seat is not my ultimate ambition. "

The militant Hamas group, which has a hardline stance against Israel, is expected to earn a spot in the next government after the elections.

Abbas spoke a day after acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that after the Palestinian vote and Israel's March election, he hoped to begin negotiations that would lead to "a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians".

Olmert said he'd only resume negotiations if Abbas dismantled militant groups after the vote.

In another development, Olmert on Wednesday made a series of new cabinet appointments to fill empty posts in a temporary government that will serve until the election.

The positions were left vacant after the Labor Party pulled out of the government late last year and Likud ministers resigned on Sunday.

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