The governing Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday strongly slammed planned U.S. funding for forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.

Considering the funding an intervention with internal Palestinian affairs, Hamas said in a statement that the U.S. support for Abbas' guards comes in "preparations for civil war to topple the Hamas-led government."

The statement called on President Abbas' office to express attitude regarding the reports that the U.S. has allocated 86 millions U.S. dollars to support and strengthen Abbas' forces.

Abbas and Hamas have been engaged in a power struggle after Hamas defeated Abbas' Fatah movement in general elections and took over the parliament and formed a government almost a year ago.

The Hamas government has since faced with international isolation because it refused to recognize Israel and peace deals signed in the past, and lay down weapons.

Last month, Abbas called for early legislative and presidential elections after all efforts failed to form a coalition government accepted by the international community.

As part of the dispute that became fiercer in recent weeks, Abbas' Fatah party has called for breaking up the Hamas-controlled Auxiliary Forces or integrating them into official security agencies after rehabilitating them.

In a statement, Fatah also condemned the Auxiliary Forces as " black forces that endanger civil peace and the future of Palestinian society."

The forces were created by Interior Minister Said Siam of Hamas in April 2006, a month after Hamas took office. It comprises some 5000 troops from Hamas and allied factions.

Source: Xinhua