The Islamic militant group Hamas on Monday rejected an invitation to join the Palestinian cabinet, snubbing President Mahmoud Abbas who wants a unity government to help him control Gaza after Israel's pullout.

Abbas, facing public pressure to curb growing lawlessness in Palestinian areas, last week offered a place for armed groups in his government to foster a smooth evacuation of Israeli settlers from the occupied territory due to begin in mid-August.

"Hamas has decided to reject the offer of (Abbas's) Fatah movement to join a national unity government," said Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri. "Forming a unity government at this late time will not be useful."

He said the decision was taken following a series of internal consultations within Hamas, a militant Islamic group that is sworn to Israel's destruction but commands considerable grassroots support in the Gaza Strip.

Bringing in Hamas would help Abbas keep order during the pullout and avoid a security vacuum afterwards.

It would also help ensure that Hamas remains committed to a truce that Abbas agreed with Israel in February by giving it a stake in decision-making. Resurgent violence has frayed the ceasefire in recent weeks.

Rejection expected

Masri said earlier that he considered the invitation to join the Palestinian Authority's government a ploy to avoid a commitment to hold quick elections for parliament in which Hamas is poised to mount a serious challenge to Abbas's Fatah faction.

Israel is concerned that Hamas will try to seize control of Gaza after its planned evacuation of all 21 Jewish settlements there and four of 120 in the West Bank. It has vowed not to allow the pullout to proceed under fire.

A senior West Bank Hamas leader, Hassan Youssef, was quoted in the Palestinian daily al-Quds as saying Hamas would most likely reject Abbas's offer. The Islamic Jihad group, which has less popular support than Hamas, rejected the proposal outright.

Israel has condemned the idea, which would mark the first time armed groups have been part of a Palestinian cabinet.

Israel and the United States have demanded Abbas disarm and dismantle militant groups as part of a US-backed "road map" to peace and a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank.

Hamas said elections should determine the makeup of a Palestinian cabinet and called for a quick parliamentary vote.

Abbas postponed legislative elections after a standoff with Fatah lawmakers who had refused to pass a voting law in line with Abbas's wishes. Elections, originally set for July 17, are now expected to be held after the pullout.

"It would have been better if Fatah took a decision to hold the parliamentary election soon with the consultation with all factions so that a government can be formed in accordance with the choice of the people," Masri said.

Hamas's popularity has grown since the start of a Palestinian uprising in 2000, especially in Gaza where it made a strong showing in municipal elections earlier this year.

Support for the ruling party has shrunk because of a public perception of corruption and infighting inside the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority government, which has also struggled to maintain law and order.

(Chinadaily.com via agencies July 5, 2005)