The founder of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, has used his first major public appearance since being released from house arrest by the Palestinian authority to criticise President Clinton's visit to Gaza.

Sheikh Yassin described the visit as an attempt to destroy Palestinian unity.

Speaking to about ten thousand supporters at a rally in a Gaza City refugee camp, Sheikh Yassin urged them to continue what he called their fight against Israel.

The rally was to mark the eleventh anniversary of the founding of Hamas, which opposes the Palestinian autonomy accords with Israel.