Palestinians arrest Hamas leader

Abdel-Aziz al-Rantisi: arrested on charges of treason

A leading officials of the Palestinian militant Hamas movement has been arrested by the Palestinian Authority on charges of defamation, incitement and sedition.

According to officials, Abdel-Aziz al-Rantisi apparently accused the Camp David peace talks negotiators of treason, and ceding Palestinian national rights during the talks with Israel.

The Authority's attorney-general, Khaled al-Qidra, said Mr al-Rantisi's comments harmed internal security at a critical time for the Palestinian cause.

However, the charges have been rejected by the Hamas' spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who says Mr al-Rantisi's comments have been misunderstood.

Use of force

"I am sorry and sad to see that in our Palestinian community there is someone who would explain freedom and other people's opinions as incitement and lies," he said.

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin says al-Rantisi's comments have been misconstrued

"I reject this completely and I say that every Palestinian has the right to express his opinion," he added.

Mr Yassin has himself recently called for the Palestinian Authority to break off talks with Israel and seek a solution through use of force.

However, Mr Qidra denied Mr al-Rantisi was arrested on charges relating to freedom of expression.

"It is a state security crime. We arrested him for spreading false information aiming to spread sedition and mislead the public," he told a news conference.

Holy struggle

Palestinian police arrested Mr al-Rantisi early on Sunday at his home in Khan Yonis in the Gaza Strip.

Other Hamas leaders have condemned the arrest, saying the move will only strengthen their commitment to the jihad, or Islamic holy struggle.

They said they would continue to oppose peace moves with Israel.

Israel has demanded that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat keeps control over Hamas, which Israel holds responsible for the deaths of scores of people in a series of bomb attacks.

Mr al-Rantisi was released from prison in February after serving a 21 month sentence for previously speaking out against the peace process.