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JERUSALEM - Palestinian officials on Saturday condemned Hamas' decision to pull out of talks aimed at ending attacks on Israelis, saying the Islamic militant group's refusal to accept a cease-fire could destroy the U.S.-backed peace process.
Hamas officials met Saturday night with members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah group and other Palestinian factions to discuss the future of cease-fire talks. Islamic Jihad officials said they had not decided whether to leave the talks, but said they would never take up arms against Abbas.
As part of the U.S.-backed "road map" to Mideast peace, the Palestinians have to disarm and dismantle militant groups that have killed hundreds of Israelis in shootings and bombings in 32 months of fighting. Abbas has been trying to negotiate with the militias rather than use force.
But on Friday Hamas said it was cutting off talks in retaliation for Abbas' concessions at a summit Wednesday in Jordan. At the meeting with President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Abbas called for an end to the "armed intifada."
Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said Abbas would never use force against Hamas and risk civil war, meaning Hamas' decision could derail the peace plan.
"We either reach a voluntary cease-fire...or there will be no deal with Israel or road map," Shaath said. "Our friends in Hamas and Jihad should acknowledge this and act responsibly."