The Islamic resistance group Hamas insisted on Tuesday that the legislative elections should be held in the Palestinian territories on Jan. 25, 2006 as scheduled.

Mushir al-Masri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that his group rejected any postponement of the elections due to security deterioration, and undertook to end chaos and phenomena of carrying arms in public.

"Holding the legislative elections on time is not only a Hamas demand, but also a popular demand and a national need," said al-Masri, adding that the Palestinian people "are not ready for more postponement."

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had put off the legislative elections originally scheduled on July 17 for dispute over the new election law.

"We believe that the current chaos can only be solved through political partnership. We should work together to serve the interests of our people," said al-Masri.

However, Israel has threatened to disrupt the elections in the West Bank if Hamas took part in the poll.

Israel said Hamas must not be allowed to participate in the legislative elections until it renounced violence and gave up vow to destruct Israel. But Hamas refused to be disarmed as long as Israel occupied the Palestinian territories.

Source: Xinhua