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Abbas to pursue peacemaking agenda

Mahmoud Abbas - Hamas must 'renounce violence'
Mahmoud Abbas - Hamas must 'renounce violence'

The president of the Palestinian authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has warned that he will resign if he cannot bring the Islamic movement Hamas into line with international demands when it takes over the administration.

Mr Abbas said if he reached a point where he could not perform his duty and his peacemaking agenda, he would not hold on to office.

Mr Abbas made it clear that Hamas must move towards accepting Israel's right to exist and renounce violence.