Fatah opposes joining Hamas-led government

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party said today it did not want to join a government led by Hamas after the militant group won a legislative election.

Fatah's Central Committee met after preliminary results gave Hamas Islamists 76 seats in the 132-seat legislature to 43 for Fatah in yesterday's election -- ensuring that Hamas can decide the shape of the next government.

Hamas, which is expected to seek a coalition government, said it wanted immediate talks among Palestinian factions.

"The Fatah Central Committee has decided that Fatah will not join the next government," committee member Intissar Wazir told Reuters after the group met with Abbas to discuss the vote's outcome.

The ultimate decision on whether Fatah could join a new government would still depend on Abbas himself, the officials said.

"We want to be in the opposition," said committee member Nabil Shaath.

- REUTERS