"We are willing to form an army like every independent country though we are still under occupation," said Meshaal. (Reuters)

CAIRO, January 28, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Saturday, January 28, held out a hand to vanquished Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) for a national partnership serving the welfare of the Palestinian people, asserting that resistance in no way contradicts the political game.

"Our top priority now is consulting with Fatah and Abu Mazen who helped render the Palestinian legislative elections a success to reach a national partnership," Meshaal told a press conference in the Syrian capital Damascus, two days after his group swept the polls.

"We are not in an awkward situation or a weak position to seek such a partnership, but we need each other to serve our people and cause and not to achieve personal gains."

Meshaal asserted that the electoral victory came as no surprise to his group, attributing it to "well organization and good planning."

Hamas swept the parliamentary elections, winning 76 seats in the 133-seat Palestinian Legislative Council, nearly 57.6 percent of the seats up for grabs.

Under the law, President Abbas must ask the largest party in the new parliament to form the next government.

Much Ado

Meshaal urged Hamas supporters to hold low-profile celebrations and respect feelings of defeated Fatah activists. (Reuters)

Meshaal said there is too much ado about an internal Palestinian crisis, though admitting tensions with Fatah.

"I don’t want to play down current tensions between Fatah and Hamas," said the Hamas leader.

Clashes were reported Friday between Fatah and Hamas activists in the Gaza Strip.

Furious Fatah supporters stormed their way into the Gaza parliament compound Friday, setting a number of cars ablaze and calling for the Fatah leadership to step down following the humiliating defeat.

Meshaal urged jubilant followers and supporters of his group "to hold low-profile celebrations to respect the feelings of their brothers in Fatah and allow no room for complacency."

Meshaal asserted that Hamas will swing into action and introduce promised reforms in the Palestinian political system, to put the Palestinian house in order.

"We will not go on a rampage of sacking Fatah employees in the government despite complaints from Hamas youths of compulsory dismissal by the outgoing government of Fatah," he asserted.

"We will rather turn a new leaf with our brothers in Fatah as we are responsible now for all the Palestinians."

Many members of the Palestinian security forces, largely comprised of Fatah faithful, are fearful of losing their jobs or seeing their salaries cut after Fatah lost the election and grip on power.

No Hurry

Meshaal said Hamas would be in no hurry to form the new Palestinian government.

"We refuse to be pressed for time," he said. "In world democracies, it takes the victorious party weeks and even months to form a government."

A confident Meshaal said parties who are dream that his group would fail in its new role are "wrong".

"We have succeeded in the resistance and we will succeed in politics, reforms and change," he said emphatically.

The Hamas leader said the new government will be an "amalgam of technocrats and qualified people whether from Hamas, Fatah or other parties."

"We have been chosen by our people and we assume our responsibility."

“Palestinian Army”

Meshaal further maintained that there is no contradiction between the armed struggle against occupation and politics.

"I tell the Americans and the Europeans, who consider resistance terrorism and demand us to disarm, that we are ready to merge armed factions including Hamas’s military wing to form an army to defend the Palestinian people," he said.

"We are willing to form an army like every independent country though we are still under occupation...an army to defend our people against aggression," said the Hamas leader.

"Resistance is a right enshrined by divine books and international laws and any people under occupation have every right to self-defense until they liberate the homeland."

Meshaal said Hamas would not make any concessions on key issues like the return of refugees and borders.

Just Peace

Gilad said Israel will not allow Hamas MPs to travel freely between the Gaza Strip and West Bank .

Asked whether he was ready to shake hands with Israeli leaders, Meshaal said Hamas wants just peace and is ready to make peace with anyone, who respects the Palestinians' inalienable rights.

"But Israel has shown no sign of rapprochement over the past years and we took the initiative of not targeting civilians, but the Israelis went on bombarding our people and assassinating our leaders," he said.

The Hamas leader dismissed claims that his group was responsible for the Palestinians' problems.

"Even during the time of (Yasser) Arafat and Abu Mazen the political process was blocked. There is a political, security and economic crisis. Hamas will strive to resolve them.

Meshaal had a message for the Israeli people ahead of the March general elections.

"I urge the Israeli voters not to be deceived and misled by their leaders…no leader including [comatose Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon can provide you with security even if they are supported by the US as long as the occupation endures."

Israel said Saturday it will not allow Hamas MPs to travel freely between the Gaza Strip and West Bank .

Amos Gilad, advisor to Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, told public radio that should Meshaal would be "arrested immediately should he enter a zone under Israeli control".

He did not, however, indicate what would happen if Meshaal were to travel to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which is controlled by Palestinian and Egyptian security forces.

Not Beggars

Meshaal played down American and European threats to strip Palestinians of economic assistance.

"We are not beggars and will not beg their aid," he said defiantly.

"The international community has the moral responsibility of aiding a people under occupation; however, we will not beg for their money," Meshaal added.

"We call on Muslim and Arab countries to help us in the days ahead to do without foreign aid," said the Hamas leader.

US President George W. Bush on Friday warned of cuts in US aid to the Palestinians if Hamas does not dissolve its armed wing and renounce threats against Israel .

Before the elections, EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana warned that if Hamas wins the polls, it will be "very difficult that help and the money that goes to ... the Palestinian Authority will continue to flow".

The EU is the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority, with aid of 500 million euros ($612 million) last year.

"We call on the US and the Europeans to respect the free choice of the Palestinian people and practice what they preach," Meshaal said.

He asserted that Hamas will not bow to the dictations of the US or other parties.

"We welcome talks with the Americans and the Europeans based on the new reality and the democratic results of the elections. If elections results in indication, our Christian brothers have chosen us in Gaza ."