Gunmen storm Palestinian parliament
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-29 09:39

ISRAEL TESTS ABBAS

"We will not under any circumstances agree to speak with Hamas," he told Israel's Channel 2 television. "If Hamas chooses a way of terror and violence like before ... it will come under an unprecendented Israeli attack."

Hamas leaders have also ruled out peace talks with the Jewish state. Mofaz said Israel would negotiate only with Abbas and would wait to see if he disarmed militants, as required by a U.S.-backed peace "road map," before deciding its next steps.

Both Abbas and interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was chosen to run in Ariel Sharon's place in a March 28 ballot after Sharon suffered a stroke last month, have vowed to follow the peace plan, which has been stalled by violence.

In a message clearly aimed at Hamas, Palestinian Authority police commander Ala Hosni said the Islamist group would not be in charge of security forces because they came under the authority of President Abbas.

"The security institution is the only guarantee to prevent sedition and civil war. Civil war began in Somalia after the collapse of the army and security institutions," Hosni said.

Fatah leaders have so far rejected joining any coalition with Hamas, and it could take weeks to form one anyway. Popular jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi urged an orderly transfer of power to Hamas.

Hamas leaders are preparing to set up a government by themselves if need be, after winning votes from Palestinians tired with corruption and Fatah's failure to deliver a state, as well as supportive of a Hamas suicide bombing campaign.

The United States has said it will review aid to the Palestinian Authority if Hamas enters government and Israel suggested it could suspend customs revenue transfers. The European Union, the biggest donor, is looking at its options.

Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told Reuters that the group could turn toward sources in the Arab world if the West cut off funding.

In Damascus, Meshaal said that not only would Hamas not disarm but it would form a new Palestinian security force which would be an "army like every country ... an army to defend our people against aggression."