Abbas makes election law changes

Hamas says elections cannot be held without them

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has announced changes in the election law which could boost his Fatah party against rivals Hamas.

Under the new law, Palestinians will vote solely for party lists, while voting by district will be eliminated.

Hamas, which took control of the Gaza Strip after fighting with Fatah in June, described the move as illegal.

Mr Abbas revealed the changes as he met EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Mr Solana is having talks with Palestinian and Israeli leaders to help prepare for an international Middle East peace conference planned for later this year.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is special envoy for the Middle East peace sponsoring group known as the Quartet, is expected in the region later on Sunday.

'No right'

Palestinian officials said the decree on election law had already been signed and would be published later in the day.

The decree also requires all election candidates to recognise the Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organisation as the "sole, legitimate representative" of the Palestinian people, a position not accepted by Hamas.

Hamas condemned Mr Abbas' move.

"The president doesn't have the right to make any changes to the law," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP news agency.

"He cannot conduct elections if Hamas doesn't accept them."

Rivalry between Hamas and Fatah has intensified since Hamas swept to victory in elections last year.

In 2006 half the seats were chosen on a national list and the other half by districts, where the Islamist movement reportedly had its biggest successes.