Hamas in election triumph

HAMAS supporters yesterday celebrated a landslide election victory in major West Bank towns, the strongest sign yet of the Islamic militant group’s growing political appeal ahead of January 25 parliament elections.

Israel responded with concern, saying a Palestinian government dominated by Hamas which calls for Israel's destruction would not be a partner for peace.

The results stunned officials from Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party, who blamed the poor showing on internal disarray in the party, which split earlier this week in a dispute over its slate for the parliamentary election.