This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6758887.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hamas pledges to work with Abbas Hamas pledges to work with Abbas
(about 5 hours later)
The exiled political leader of Hamas has said his movement will work with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, after it took control of Gaza by force.The exiled political leader of Hamas has said his movement will work with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, after it took control of Gaza by force.
Syria-based Khaled Meshaal said Mr Abbas remained the "legitimate" president, a day after Hamas fighters routed Mr Abbas' Fatah faction.Syria-based Khaled Meshaal said Mr Abbas remained the "legitimate" president, a day after Hamas fighters routed Mr Abbas' Fatah faction.
But Hamas has declared illegal Mr Abbas' replacement of its Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.But Hamas has declared illegal Mr Abbas' replacement of its Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.
The international community has pledged to give Mr Abbas its full support.The international community has pledged to give Mr Abbas its full support.
Mr Abbas, who is in the West Bank, named former Finance Minister Salam Fayyad as his new prime minister after dissolving the Hamas-led national unity government.Mr Abbas, who is in the West Bank, named former Finance Minister Salam Fayyad as his new prime minister after dissolving the Hamas-led national unity government.
A former World Bank executive, Mr Fayyad is a well-respected figure internationally.A former World Bank executive, Mr Fayyad is a well-respected figure internationally.
In recent months, foreign governments have chosen to deal with him directly as a means of bypassing Hamas.In recent months, foreign governments have chosen to deal with him directly as a means of bypassing Hamas.
The group of Middle East mediators known as the Quartet - the US, UN, EU and Russia - threw their weight behind Mr Abbas on Friday, pledging their "full support" for the beleaguered Palestinian Authority president.The group of Middle East mediators known as the Quartet - the US, UN, EU and Russia - threw their weight behind Mr Abbas on Friday, pledging their "full support" for the beleaguered Palestinian Authority president.
Western nations have boycotted Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation by the US and EU, since it won elections in January 2006.Western nations have boycotted Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation by the US and EU, since it won elections in January 2006.
Tense calmTense calm
Speaking in Damascus, Mr Meshaal said Mr Abbas "has legitimacy... he is an elected president, and we will cooperate with him for the sake of national interest". Speaking in Damascus, Mr Meshaal said Mr Abbas "has legitimacy... he is an elected president, and we will co-operate with him for the sake of national interest".
SALAM FAYYAD Born in 1952 near West Bank city of TulkarmHolds a PhD in economics from the University of TexasWorked at the World Bank in Washington from 1987-1995IMF representative to Palestine until 2001Finance minister under the Fatah-controlled administration from 2002-2005Credited with cracking down on official corruption Profile: Salam Fayyad Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took over But Mr Haniya said he was still the legitimate prime minister, while Hamas said Mr Abbas had acted illegally in dismissing the government.SALAM FAYYAD Born in 1952 near West Bank city of TulkarmHolds a PhD in economics from the University of TexasWorked at the World Bank in Washington from 1987-1995IMF representative to Palestine until 2001Finance minister under the Fatah-controlled administration from 2002-2005Credited with cracking down on official corruption Profile: Salam Fayyad Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took over But Mr Haniya said he was still the legitimate prime minister, while Hamas said Mr Abbas had acted illegally in dismissing the government.
The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Hamas may have control of Gaza and Mr Abbas may have decreed a state of emergency but still nothing feels settled. The Palestinian territories still crackle with tension and uncertainty, he says.The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Hamas may have control of Gaza and Mr Abbas may have decreed a state of emergency but still nothing feels settled. The Palestinian territories still crackle with tension and uncertainty, he says.
Calm has been returning to the Gaza Strip after a week of factional fighting which left at least 100 people dead.Calm has been returning to the Gaza Strip after a week of factional fighting which left at least 100 people dead.
Traffic is back on the streets, and people have been going back to work.Traffic is back on the streets, and people have been going back to work.
There were however outbreaks of looting of Fatah-linked buildings and the home of Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan was stripped bare.There were however outbreaks of looting of Fatah-linked buildings and the home of Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan was stripped bare.
Mr Abbas' seafront compound was also ransacked and his office over-run by masked Hamas gunmen.Mr Abbas' seafront compound was also ransacked and his office over-run by masked Hamas gunmen.
As Hamas consolidated its grip on power, its military wing called for the immediate release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, abducted in Gaza in March.As Hamas consolidated its grip on power, its military wing called for the immediate release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, abducted in Gaza in March.
They said his continued detention was unacceptable and Hamas TV reported on Friday night that "practical steps" were being taken to bring about Mr Johnston's freedom.They said his continued detention was unacceptable and Hamas TV reported on Friday night that "practical steps" were being taken to bring about Mr Johnston's freedom.
Meanwhile, about 200 Fatah officials from Gaza have sought refuge in Egypt since Thursday.Meanwhile, about 200 Fatah officials from Gaza have sought refuge in Egypt since Thursday.
A further 3,000 Palestinian civilians are now stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing which is closed. Rafah provides the people of Gaza with their only point of access to the outside world.A further 3,000 Palestinian civilians are now stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing which is closed. Rafah provides the people of Gaza with their only point of access to the outside world.
Rule by decreeRule by decree
President Abbas dismissed the three-month-old unity government on Thursday and declared a state of emergency.President Abbas dismissed the three-month-old unity government on Thursday and declared a state of emergency.
He has said he will rule by presidential decree until the conditions are right for early elections.He has said he will rule by presidential decree until the conditions are right for early elections.
Reaction in quotes Gazans tell of fears Images: Abbas office stormedReaction in quotes Gazans tell of fears Images: Abbas office stormed
Under the Palestinian Basic Law - essentially the Palestinian constitution - the president can rule by decree for 30 days. This can be extended with the approval of the parliament.Under the Palestinian Basic Law - essentially the Palestinian constitution - the president can rule by decree for 30 days. This can be extended with the approval of the parliament.
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says this may be an irrelevance, as Mr Abbas appears to no longer have any influence in Gaza.The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says this may be an irrelevance, as Mr Abbas appears to no longer have any influence in Gaza.
Our correspondent says the West Bank and Gaza Strip will now effectively be split from one another - Gaza run by Hamas and the West Bank by Fatah.Our correspondent says the West Bank and Gaza Strip will now effectively be split from one another - Gaza run by Hamas and the West Bank by Fatah.
There are also fears that violence will spread to the West Bank, where Fatah is dominant.There are also fears that violence will spread to the West Bank, where Fatah is dominant.