Abbas expects Hamas to disarm after elections
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas expects Hamas to hand in its weapons after joining the Palestinian parliament this summer, he said.
He gave no indication if he would forcefully disarm the militant group.
Abbas has been under heavy pressure by the US and Israel to rein in armed groups. While repeatedly calling on militants to halt their attacks on Israel, he has so far refused to take action against them, preferring instead to co-opt them.
Hamas, the largest Palestinian opposition group, has said it will participate in legislative elections set to take place in July. It would be the first time the group has sought a place in the Palestinian parliament.
Abbas welcomed the group’s desire to join the political process, but said the group, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings against Israelis, would be expected to give up its militant tactics after the vote.
“When a movement or militia is transformed into a political party, I would say that there will then be no need for them to possess weapons,” Abbas said.
“There will be only one authority, one law, and one legal gun. The issue is very clear, and this has been common practice throughout history.”
