Hamas calls on Palestinian factions to boycott Abbas's meeting

The Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday called on Palestinian factions to boycott the Palestinian's National Council (PNC) two-day session, which is scheduled for September 14 in Ramallah.

According to Sami Abu Zuhri, a Gaza Hamas spokesman, Palestinian factions should boycott PNC sessions "to prevent President Mahmoud Abbas from carrying out absurd actions," Xinhua reported.

"Hamas reiterated that Abbas's unilateral decision to hold PNC sessions under such circumstances implies his nullification of all agreements and understandings, thereby damaging Palestinian unity, " said Abu Zuhri.

Abbas resigned on Tuesday as Chair of Palestine's Liberation Organisation (PLO) executive committee, along with nine additional committee members, and declared to quit politics soon.

The PNC was scheduled to hold a two-day regular session on September 14 in the West Bank city of Ramallah to elect a chairman and new PLO executive committee members.

Hamas, not a PLO member, opposed the decision to hold the session, saying it did not coordinate with the Islamic movement that has been ruling the Gaza Strip since 2007.