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Hamas Defiant Amid International Calls to Disarm
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=10C388D:3919ACA Senior leader of
Hamas says Palestinian militant group will not disarm or change its
policies toward Israel, following its landslide election victory





Khaled MashaalThe senior leader of Hamas says the Palestinian militant
group will not disarm or change its policies toward Israel, following
its landslide election victory.

Speaking from his base in Damascus, Syria, Khaled Mashaal said
Saturday Hamas and the Palestinian people will be as effective in
politics and reform as in fighting Israel. He also rejected
international threats to cut off Palestinian aid, saying the
Palestinian people will not be blackmailed.

Hamas, which routed the Fatah party in parliamentary elections
Wednesday, has claimed numerous suicide attacks against Israel in
recent years and has vowed to destroy the Jewish state.

Tensions remain high in the Palestinian territories Saturday with
fresh calls for demonstrations by Fatah party activists. Witnesses say
Fatah gunmen climbed the roof of the Palestinian parliament in
Ramallah and fired shots in the air as supporters cheered below.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.