Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday announced the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and its affiliated groups are outlawed.

By issuing a presidential decree, Abbas banned Hamas-dominated Executive Force and other Hamas-linked groups.

It accused the Executive Force of carrying out an armed rebellion against the Palestinian legitimacy and its institution.

"Anyone who has ties with these groups will be punished in accordance with the laws under the state of emergency," said the decree.

The ban came just minutes after Abbas swore in the Palestinian emergency government in the West Bank.

However, Hamas still rejected the new government, terming it as "illegitimate."

Source: Xinhua