Abu Marzouk: Hamas believes in democracy, peaceful circulation of power

RIYADH- Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy political bureau chairman of Hamas, has said that his Movement supports democracy and peaceful circulation of power.

In an interview with the Saudi daily Okaz published on Friday, Abu Marzouk said that such democracy requires achievement of national reconciliation.

He explained that no elections could be held without internal conciliation so that the results could be implemented; recalling that Fatah faction held by Mahmoud Abbas was the one that refused the results of 2006 elections.

The Hamas leader described the decree issued by Abbas calling for elections in January 2010 as "illegal" since Abbas’s term in office had expired last January 2009.

Hamas would not allow presidential and legislative elections in Gaza Strip until a comprehensive national conciliation is achieved, Abu Marzouk said, charging that the elections decree followed American pressures.

He said that Hamas is keen on implementing the Egyptian reconciliation paper as agreed upon without any addition or exclusion.