Itongadol.- Abbas says he has no intentions of seeking re-election.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday he would hand over control of the PA to Hamas if the movement wins in future elections.
Abbas told an Egyptian TV station that he was prepared to cede control to Hamas as he already did in 2006, when the movement won the Palestinian legislative election.
Abbas said that despite its victory, Hamas then staged a coup against the Palestinian government, resulting in a seven-year blockade on the Gaza Strip.
“The only solution to the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories is holding fair and transparent elections in order to complete the process of reconciliation [with Hamas],” Abbas said.
Abbas said he had no intention to seek re-election, saying it was time for him to relax after 55 years of public work.
“I need to rest,” he added. “I will get this if I stay away from the presidency. But I can’t stay away from the Palestinian cause.”
Abbas reiterated his opposition to an armed struggle against Israel, saying this would not be useful.
“We won’t accept the status quo,” he said. “But this does not mean that we should resort to an armed struggle, which I completely reject. The armed struggle wouldn’t be beneficial in anything; the proof is the last wars between Israel and Hamas. Israel destroys and Palestine builds before Israel destroys again.”