Hamas wants Arafat's job

HAMAS, a militant group that espouses suicide attacks and a strict Islamic rule, says it is ready to take over the Palestinian leadership from Yasser Arafat.

The statements on Thursday by a senior Hamas official, Mahmoud Zahar, were a rare public expression of the rising political ambitions of the group as Israel works to weaken Arafat.

Zahar said the group was "absolutely" prepared to lead the Palestinian people. He said Hamas had the infrastructure to take over leadership "politically, financially (and) socially. And with respect to an army, we can create one with all capabilities", he said.

Zahar said Hamas would take over through elections, not by force. Palestinians had elections scheduled for

January 20 but postponed them because Israeli troops are in control of most West Bank cities.

Israel's government is working to weaken Arafat, saying that he encourages militants to attack Israel. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ruled out contacts with Arafat, insisting that other Palestinian leaders are prepared to make peace. Sharon, with the backing of the US, has demanded that Arafat be replaced or sidelined.

Critics have warned that the plan could backfire because radical groups like Hamas, not moderates, could take over if Arafat is neutralised. Arafat has not visited Gaza in more than a year, confined to his headquarters in

Ramallah by the Israeli forces. He fears that if he leaves, he will not be allowed to return.

Hamas has moved into the vacuum in the Gaza Strip, offering social services in the crowded territory.

The Gaza is poverty-stricken in the best of times and has been made even more destitute by the effects of the conflict.

The group's frequent attacks against Israel have attracted support.

In an apparent move to reassert control, the head of Preventive Security in Gaza, Arafat ally Rashid Abu Shbak, told Israel Radio he is sending police into areas where militants, many from Hamas, have fired mortars and rockets at Israeli settlements.

Shbak said the rocket fire is against the interests of the Palestinian people because it draws punishing Israeli retaliation.

Hamas and a smaller militant group, Islamic Jihad, have killed hundreds of Israelis in scores of bombings and shootings in the past 28 months of fighting.

Yesterday, Israeli police said they found an explosive belt packed with up to 30 pounds of explosives hidden under toilet paper and dirt in a garbage bag in a mosque in the Israeli Arab town of Taibeh.

Police were led to the hiding place after arresting two Islamic Jihad activists in a dragnet near the line between Israel and the West Bank.

Police said the two activists had planned to pick up the belt on Thursday.