By Xinhua
Gaza : The Hamas movement Thursday said it has started to rebuild security services “on a national basis” after its takeover of Gaza, rejecting a call to return authority to Fatah.
“This (the rebuilding) means the security agencies will include members from every faction and will be led by professionals instead of loyalists,” hardline Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told the newspaper.
Before Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in mid June, the security services, even those run by the Hamas-led interior ministry, were loyal to Fatah and used to report to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Though Hamas called for a dialogue with Fatah, Zahar was defiant and rejected a key condition by Abbas for resuming the talks, returning matters to the pre-June 14 conditions in the Gaza Strip.
“We reject Abbas’ preconditions for talks,” said Zahar.
On another front, Zahar denied any contacts between his movement and Israel over opening the crossing points in Gaza, sealed since Hamas took over the territory last month.