In an official announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed the date for legislative elections.

In a public decree on Saturday, Abbas said he decided to postpone the 17 July poll to allow time to resolve a dispute over proposed reforms to the voting law.

He said a new date for the election would be given in a future announcement.

Media reports suggested Abbas decided to delay the upcoming parliamentary elections by several months, a move that will give him additional time to fend off a challenge by the Islamic group Hamas.

Hamas emerged as a formidable rival in local Palestinian elections in recent months, indicating a strong performance in the national vote.

Hamas rejection

Hamas rejected Abbas's move. {mosgoogle right}

"Abbas's postponement decision was unilateral. He did not consult with Palestinian movements," said a statement issued by Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.

"This decision shows that the Palestinian Authority is not serious about its commitments. It risks causing chaos and giving a negative impression about the Palestinian nation because it obeys when the Americans and Israel multiply their calls for an electoral postponement," said the statement.

A senior Palestinian Authority official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the election date would probably be pushed back to November.

Abbas has also been squabbling with legislators over a proposed election law. Abbas wants all candidates to compete at a "national" level, while some Fatah legislators want at least half of the lawmakers to be chosen in districts.

Source said another reason behind the delay was that Fatah would elect representatives at the group's conference in August.

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