GAZA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas movement postponed on Tuesday handing over its positive written response to President Mahmoud Abbas' calls on holding the parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories.
Hamas leaders met on Tuesday in Gaza with Hanna Nasser, chairman of the Central Elections Commission (CEC), where Hamas was scheduled to hand over Nasser a written letter addressed to President Abbas.
The postponement came in protest to repressing a rally held in Ramallah in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails by the Palestinian Authority police, according to Sallah all-Bardaweel, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sami Abu Diak, a Palestinian prisoner, who suffered from cancer, died in jail. His death has largely outraged the Palestinians who accused Israel of depriving the Palestinian prisoners of medical treatment.
Nasser and a CEC delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip on Monday and planned to meet the Hamas leaders to get a written response from the movement on holding the parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories.
"Hamas does not oppose issuing a presidential decree for setting up a date for holding the elections," said Hamas.
It also said that after Abbas issues the Presidential Decree, he has to call for holding a comprehensive national conference for agreement on the general principles.
Hamas and President Abbas had earlier agreed to first hold the parliamentary elections in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem and then after three months, the presidential and the National Council elections will be held.
The last parliamentary elections were held in the Palestinian territories in January 2006, where Hamas won an overwhelming majority. The presidential elections were held in 2005 and Abbas won.
