Israel Matzav

Palestinian Civil War Watch - Hamas rejects Abbas Abu Mazen's ultimatum

Al-Reuters is reporting this evening that Hamas has rejected Abu Mazen's ultimatum that calls for Hamas to accept the Prisoners' Document within ten days, or Abu Mazen will call a referendum on it within forty days.

Sami Abu-Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said they would be delayed, adding: "There is no need for the 10-day idea. As long as we are talking about dialogue, there shouldn't be any dates set."

Abu-Zuhri said the sides had also not agreed on a list of negotiators or a venue.

Yasser Abed Rabbo, who is close to Abu Mazen, said that Abu Mazen would invite Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and other top officials to discuss the plan on Sunday.

Abed Rabbo cautioned that Mazen has the authority to dismiss the Hamas government.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:30 AM