Hamas signals it wants a role in Palestinian vote
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The militant group is poised to sponsor candidates in legislative and municipal elections expected later next year.
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Militant group Hamas makes a strong showing in Palestinian local council elections in the West Bank.
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JERUSALEM - Two Palestinian factions, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, said yesterday that they would not take part in the Palestinian presidential election set for Jan. 9, a decision that could complicate efforts for a peaceful and orderly campaign.
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The militant group Hamas will accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and a long-term truce with Israel, a leader said Friday, apparently softening Hamas' hardline stance and boosting hopes for renewed peace efforts after Yasser Arafat's death.
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Dec 1, 2004 - A Hamas leader announced Wednesday that the Islamic militant group will not field a candidate in Jan. 9 presidential elections and said he expected Hamas supporters not to participate in the vote.
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RAMALLAH, West Bank  - A Hamas leader said the  militant group could accept creation of a Palestinian state in  the West Bank and Gaza and a long-term truce with Israel,  signaling a possible new overture to end hostilities.
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Palestinian president says he will order parliamentary and presidential ballots, despite Hamas objections.
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Hamas has nominated one of its members to be Palestinian interior minister, officials said on Saturday, a choice likely to be opposed by Western states.
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Analysis: Desperate to stay in the game, Mahmoud Abbas challenges Hamas to back a two-state solution or face a referendum on the issue
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Security forces from the Hamas Islamist movement took up positions in the Gaza Strip on Friday ahead of possible rallies by the rival Fatah faction, in defiance of a ban imposed after clashes in recent weeks.
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The militant Palestinian group Hamas said Friday it was setting aside its differences with ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and called for a united Palestinian leadership to work toward general elections.
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LEADERSHIP: Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they want nothing to do with the election of a new leader to replace Yasser Arafat. Hamas also vowed to keep up attacks on Israel.
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Palestinians called crucial to the success of a ballot to choose a successor to the late Yasser Arafat. Middle East envoy William Burns told reporters on Sunday in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
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Palestinian officials appealed Thursday for international monitors to help with their presidential elections and urged Israel&#39;s unilateral plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip
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Hamas representatives are in touch with leaders from the United States and the European Union, even though Hamas appears on the countries&#39; lists of terror organization, according to Hamas political leader Khaled Mashal.
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Palestinian group Hamas is sending some &quot;not unhelpful&quot; signals about the Middle East peace process, Prime Minister Tony Blair said in an interview broadcast Friday.
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BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip  - Palestinians voted on  Thursday in the first municipal elections in the Gaza Strip, a  test of strength between new President Mahmoud Abbas and the  militant Hamas group.