Palestinian Premier, Cabinet resigns
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-26 18:49

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and his Cabinet ministers submitted their resignations Thursday as the Islamic militant group Hamas appeared to have captured a large majority of seats in the Palestinian elections — a shocking upset sure to throw Mideast peacemaking into turmoil.

Senior Hamas leader and top candidate for the Palestinian parliamentary elections, Ismail Hanieh, center, waves to supporters during a rally to mark the 18th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic group, in Gaza City, Friday Dec. 23, 2005. [AP]

"This is the choice of the people. It should be respected," Qureia said. "If it's true (the results), then the president should ask Hamas to form a new government. For me, personally, I sent my resignation."

Under the law, Abbas must ask the largest party in the new parliament — presumably Hamas — to form the next government. Abbas was elected separately a year ago and remains president.

Hamas said before the election it does not want to govern alone, and would prefer to bring Fatah into a coalition. Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said Thursday that the group will declare its intentions after official results are announced later in the day.

The result could have a devastating effect on the peace process with Israel. Mushir al-Masri, a senior Hamas official, said Thursday that recognizing Israel and negotiations with the Jewish state are "not on our agenda."

Israel and the United States have said they would not deal with a Hamas-led Palestinian government. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said he would step down if he could no longer pursue his peace agenda with Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and top security officials convened Thursday to discuss the apparent Hamas victory. Israel's acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, was to discuss the election results later with senior Cabinet ministers and security officials.

Hamas' top candidate Ismail Haniyeh said the group had won about 70 seats in the 132-seat parliament, based on reporting by Hamas activists who observed the counting in the polling stations. Later in the day, another Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the number had risen to at least 75.

Officials with Fatah conceded that Hamas had won about 70 total seats. They also spoke on condition of anonymity because counting in some districts was continuing.

Palestinian election officials said on condition of anonymity because the count was ongoing that Hamas had won a large majority of the 66 seats up for grabs in electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. Half the seats in Wednesday's parliament vote were chosen on a national list and the other half by districts.

The Central Election Commission said it would make an official announcement at 7 p.m. Thursday.