Expansion of Hamas' auxiliary forces illegitimate: Fatah

In response to a possible move by the Hamas-led government to expand its auxiliary forces, Fatah spokesman on Saturday rejected it as "illegitimate and have to be broke up."

Speaking to local radio Voice of Palestine, Abdel Rahman, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, accused the forces of "killing a number of citizens and failing to get President Abbas' blessing."

Rahman's remarks came after Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar said earlier in the day that his Hamas-led government is considering increasing the Auxiliary Forces and deployment of the troops in the West Bank.

The auxiliary forces were established under a decision by Hamas government's Interior Minister Said Siam in April following Hamas formed the current government, with most of the members loyal to Hamas and its allied groups.

As for Abbas' proposal of forming a technocrat government, the spokesman said that he preferred "a technocrat government without any one from the factions like Hamas or Fatah" rather than the current one.

"We need independent and faithful figures who work for the sake of the Palestinian," Rahman said.

He disclosed that President Abbas would meet Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya soon in Gaza to overcome differences related to the formation of a new government.

However, Haneya on Friday had rejected such calls for a technocrat government, insisting on forming a national unity government which was earlier agreed by both sides.

Talks over forming a Palestinian coalition government with national unity have been in stalemate as Hamas has repeatedly refused the international demands of recognizing Israel.

Source: Xinhua