Abbas: Early vote not to oust Hamas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Friday he will go for early elections if the latest round of coalition talks with Hamas fails.

Abbas also said it's time for Hamas to make up its mind whether it wants to establish a government acceptable to the West, by moderating its platform and sharing power with Abbas' Fatah Party.

Hamas has resisted demands by the international community that it recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace talks. However, a foreign aid boycott would continue, unless a new Palestinian government agrees on a moderate platform.

On Saturday, Abbas is to meet in Damascus with Hamas' supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal, for a crucial meeting on whether Hamas will accept the terms of a coalition with Fatah.

Abbas suggested he wouldn't wait much longer for a decision by Hamas. He had said last month he would call early legislative and presidential elections if coalition talks fail.

"We say either a (unity) government or elections," he said after a meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana. "And elections doesn't mean we want to throw Hamas into the sea. Hamas has been elected and can be elected again."

Hamas has accused Abbas of trying to topple its government by calling elections.

Abbas also said the talks have run their course.

"It is very clear how to get a national unity government than can break the siege," he said, referring to the aid boycott. "We need no more details."