Palestinian president urges Hamas to yield power

Jeruselam: The Palestinian president has threatened to dissolve a new unity government if the Hamas militant group does not give up power in the Gaza Strip.

Mahmoud Abbas told reporters in Cairo late Saturday that he cannot accept the current situation in Gaza. He said if Hamas will not accept one central authority, "we will not accept partnership with it."

Hamas has controlled Gaza since overrunning Abbas' forces in 2007. Facing deep international isolation, Hamas agreed to the formation of a new unity government with Abbas' Fatah movement in June. But it has yet to yield power - even after a devastating war against Israel over the summer.

Ismail Radwan, a Hamas leader, denounced Abbas' comments, saying they contradict the spirit of the new partnership.