Palestinian political rivals mull unity

PanARMENIAN.Net - Palestinian political rivals Hamas and Fatah on Tuesday, Jan 24 took a first practical step toward elections and possible unity by opening an office for voter registration in the Gaza Strip, according to The Associated Press.

Presidential and parliament elections are envisioned for late spring, though a date has not been set.

Elections are at the center of reconciliation efforts between the Islamic militant Hamas and Fatah, the movement of internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Hamas won parliament elections in 2006 and wrested control of Gaza from Abbas by force a year later, leaving him with only the West Bank. The Gaza office of the Central Elections Commission was closed after the 2007 takeover and reopened Tuesday.

Updating Gaza voter records is a key part of election preparations, which officials have said would require several weeks. Elections could be held within three months of the completion of preparations. Abbas would set the date by decree.

Earlier Tuesday, in the West Bank, Israeli forces detained a Hamas lawmaker, the fifth such arrest in five days, prompting Hamas accusations that Israel is trying to sabotage the planned elections.

Hamas has said it would only participate in elections if its candidates are safe from arrest by Israel.