Yassin: factions should decide who controls Gaza

[Gimel]

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip

Rival Palestinian factions should try to reach agreement on who will control the Gaza Strip after a possible Israeli withdrawal, the Hamas founder said Tuesday, but stopped short of demanding a role for his group.

Sheik Ahmed Yassin told The Associated Press in an interview that such an agreement could help prevent conflict and chaos in Gaza.

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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he would remove most Israeli settlements in Gaza if peace efforts remain frozen in coming months. Israeli officials have said the withdrawal would not take place before the U.S. presidential elections in November.

Addressing concerns about a possible takeover by Hamas, Yassin proposed Tuesday that all sides try to find common ground.

"This proposed honor agreement will focus on the relations between the Palestinian factions and the Palestinian Authority and how to control the Gaza Strip, and to protect the stability and security of the strip after the possible withdrawal," Yassin said in an interview in his Gaza City home.

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