Hamas leader convenes "Gaza summit"

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-27-2007 08:13

Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, center, participates in a parliament meeting discussing Palestinian rights in protest at the upcoming US-hosted Annapolis summit, in Gaza City, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

The Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, has convened a "Gaza summit" to counter the US-sponsored peace conference, before the opening ceremony in Annapolis.

Israel has boosted security over fears of attempts to sabotage the talks.

Missing from the invitation list to Annapolis is Hamas, who took control of the Gaza Strip in June.

On Monday the Muslim resistance movement held an "alternative conference" to promote their opposition to peaceful coexistence with the Jewish state.

Haniyeh and other officials signed a document, which stressed "the Palestinian people's full rights and their commitment to the full rights of the nation on the Palestinian land."

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader, said, "Any agreement in Annapolis which harms any of the Palestinians' rights is not binding, but is only for those who signed it. Negotiations are pointless."

Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, center, participates in a parliament meeting discussing Palestinian rights in protest of the upcoming US-hosted Annapolis summit, in Gaza City, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

US President George W. Bush is planning to meet Palestinian and Israeli leaders in a last-ditch push for Palestinian statehood before he leaves office in 14 months.

But expectations are low for the three-day talks in Washington and nearby Annapolis, Maryland, because Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas all face political challenges at home.

Israeli security went on its highest alert in and around Jerusalem in fear of attacks by Palestinian militants to sabotage the peace talks.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei