The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, distanced itself Tuesday from a call for Yasser Arafat to resign, made by one of its leaders in exile.
"The call for the resignation of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority does not reflect the movement's position or policy," Hamas said in a statement.
"Hamas works with all sectors of the Palestinian people to achieve their liberation from occupation and their return to their fatherland," the text said.
Hamas spokesman-in-exile Ibrahim Ghosheh said Sunday during a visit to Tehran that Arafat should step down and "not make this uprising fail."
Ghosheh, who was expelled from Jordan to Qatar last year, was referring to the wave of violence that has swept the Palestinian territories since Friday.
The Hamas statement in Gaza called for "the intensification of the uprising to defend (Jerusalem's) al-Aqsa Mosque," and called on the Palestinian Authority to "free all political prisoners."
Hamas strongly opposes the peace process with Israel - GAZA CITY (AFP)
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