Reply #13: Zahhar: Abbas cannot call elections without PLC approval

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Date: 24 / 11 / 2008 Time: 12:48
Gaza – Ma’an – Senior Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahhar on Monday said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cannot call early parliamentary elections without the approval of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

At a press conference in his private home in Gaza, Zahhar responded to Abbas’ announcement on Sunday that he would call parliamentary and presidential elections in early 2009 if reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah fail.

“This indicates that president Abbas is facing a serious political crisis and is trying to find a way out,” Zahhar said.

Zahhar added that early elections could not be called except by a majority of the PLC. “This will not take place as long as our leaders are in Israel’s custody and in the West Bank,” he said.

http://maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33476