Bahar calls on Abbas to replace Fayyad

Acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and prominent Hamas member, Ahmad Bahar on Thursday called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to replace Palestinian caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as a way out of the current political stalemate, saying he considers Fayyad's government illegal and unconstitutional.

Bahar also called on Abbas to resume dialogue between Fatah and Hamas in the interests of Palestinian unity.

In a press conference in Gaza City, Bahar called on the West Bank-based Palestinian caretaker government to halt "the fruitless negotiations with the Israelis." He also warned of the dangers of both secret and public coordination with the Israelis.

Bahar said he was astonished by Abbas' apparent disregard to the crippling siege on the Gaza Strip, adding that he had not highlighted the issue during Annapolis summit.

He also described the economic plan, prepared by the Palestinian government for the Paris donors' conference as "illegal," saying its aim is to increase the state of division between the West Bank and Gaza.