Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat rejected on Sunday the statements by top Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar that Hamas welcomed Israel's unilateral steps as long as no obligations would be imposed on his movement.

Palestinian radio Voice of Palestine said Erekat criticized the Hamas position as al-Zahar said Hamas would grant Israel a long- term truce if Israel withdrew from the West Bank.

Al-Zahar's statements came in an interview with a Qatari daily, in response to previous statements by Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said he was planning to unilaterally withdraw from parts of the West Bank if he won in the March 28 elections.

Erekat said settlements and separation wall were Israel's unilateral steps and it was weird that a Palestinian official welcomed them.

"I believe we have to inquire about this issue officially," Erekat said, adding that "during our ten years of negotiations ( with Israel), no one budged from the principles on Jerusalem, withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders and refugees' right of return, but now someone comes to say we welcome unilateral steps."

Meanwhile, Erekat said the new Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) would discuss the issue of forming a new cabinet on Monday.

Source: Xinhua