Hamas wins upset victory in Palestinian election

GAZA - The Islamic militant group Hamas has swept to victory over the long-dominant Fatah faction in the Palestinian parliamentary election, a political earthquake that could bury chances for peacemaking with Israel.

The shock outcome, acknowledged by Fatah ahead of official results, would not automatically unseat President Mahmoud Abbas, who was elected last year. But he has said he might resign if unable to pursue a peace policy.

Hamas' win could lead to further unilateral moves by Israel, following a Gaza pullout last year, to shape its final border on occupied land Palestinians want for a state. Peace talks have been stalled for five years.

"Hamas has won more than 70 seats in Gaza and the West Bank, which gives it more than 50 per cent of the vote," said Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of the group.

Within hours of the statement, which Haniyeh based on results supplied by Hamas representatives at polling stations, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie of Fatah and his cabinet quit.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev declined comment on what one Fatah official described as a tsunami.

Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said Israel would not negotiate peace under a US-backed "road map" with a Palestinian government that does not "fight terror" and disarm militants.

Israel, the United States and the European Union have classified Hamas, which has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings in the Jewish state since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000, as a terrorist organisation.

Hamas' charter commits it to Israel's eventual destruction, but its armed wing has largely respected a truce negotiated by Abbas and Egypt nearly a year ago.

A senior Fatah official said it appeared Hamas was propelled to victory by a protest vote against years of corruption in the mainstream faction and the Palestinian Authority it controls.

The Islamic group's charity network in the impoverished Gaza Strip and in the West Bank has also boosted its popularity.

"Hamas did not win because people loved Hamas, but because people were taking revenge against the past years of Fatah rule," said Adel al-Helo, 41, a Gaza shopkeeper.

Hamas officials held out the possibility of a coalition with Fatah and other parties -- and reaffirmed its commitment to what it calls armed resistance against Israeli occupation, as well as its opposition to negotiations with the Jewish state.

"We do not see it necessary to squeeze ourselves and our people into this dark corner which will achieve nothing," said one Hamas official, referring to peace talks.

Three exit polls had forecast a slim Fatah victory in the contest for parliament's 132 seats. Turnout was 78 per cent of the 1.3 million voters.

US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he would not deal with Hamas unless it accepted Israel's existence.

"A political party, in order to be viable, is one that professes peace, in my judgment, in order that it will keep the peace," Bush told the Wall Street Journal in an interview.

"And so you're getting a sense of how I'm going to deal with Hamas if they end up in positions of responsibility. And the answer is: 'Not until you renounce your desire to destroy Israel will we deal with you'."

Abbas, elected a year ago after the death of Yasser Arafat, has said the Palestinian Authority was ready to resume talks with Israel even if Hamas joined his government.

Abbas had also voiced hopes that once Hamas entered parliament it might be prepared to relinquish its weapons.

Despite signals this week that it might be open to indirect talks with Israel, Hamas said on Wednesday it would not change its charter or give up its weapons but would consider joining a coalition government with Fatah.

Gaza Strip and West Bank towns filled with the sound of car horns and bursts of gunfire poured into the night sky as Hamas and Fatah supporters claimed victory.

"Our choice is Islam and we want change as soon as possible," Hamas backer Nidal al-Jaberi said in Hebron.

A few streets away, a Fatah gunman, Mohammed Amr, said: "This result shows that Fatah will always be on top."

Voting was orderly despite weeks of armed chaos. More than 400 candidates ran locally in the first parliamentary elections since 1996. About 900 foreign observers, led by former US president Jimmy Carter, were present.

Israeli troops had pulled back from West Bank population centres to avoid any accusations of interfering in the polls.

- REUTERS