The ruling Fatah movement lashed out at the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Sunday for the latter's rejection to the postponement of the parliamentary elections originally due on July 17.

Fatah Revolutionary Council said in a statement that it rejects "the negative statements" made by Hamas leaders in reaction to the postponement which was declared in a presidential decree Saturday.

"The revolutionary council was shocked at the negative statements made by Hamas leaders which announced that it rejects the postponement," the statement said.

"Hamas movement was supposed to welcome the decree, because this postponement reinforces Fatah's concerns for unity and its commitment to Cairo agreements," said the statement.

The decision by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to delay the voting was seen as a move to allow Fatah more time to prepare for a major challenge in the upcoming parliamentary elections posed by Hamas, whose surging street popularity has rendered it a strong showing in the latest local elections.

Meanwhile, Fatah revolutionary council has asked Fatah central committee to designate a date to hold the general conference of the movement, during which a new Fatah leadership will be elected, well-informed Palestinian sources said.

The holding of a Fatah general conference has been put on hold for 15 years.

Fatah's internal election will enable the movement to rebuild itself after a lackluster performance in the municipal elections, the sources said.

Source: Xinhua