Palestinian PM asks Hamas to cease attacks

Seeking calm and unity, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie asked militant factions to refrain from attacks inside Israel, an Israeli newspaper reported today, as the Palestinians awaited word on their critically ill leader, Yasser Arafat.

At a rare meeting with Qurie in the Gaza Strip yesterday, the Islamic militant group Hamas joined a call for unity and demanded a role in Palestinian decision making in the post-Arafat era.

But it appeared to reject any suggestion of a ceasefire.

"The resistance continues and will stop only if the occupation ends," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.

"This time is very sensitive. It's a historic time. There is no space for any unilateral decisions," he said, alluding to Fatah, Arafat's core organisation.

"Everyone now is calling for the formation of a united Palestinian leadership. This is a demand of our people," he said.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Middle-East-Crisis/Palestinian-PM-asks-Hamas-to-cease-attacks/2004/11/07/1099781237599.html