Hamas leader insists group won’t disarm
In a rare public appearance, Sheik Ahmed Yassin struck a defiant tone against incoming Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, who has complained of the “chaos of weapons” in the Palestinian areas, proposed a comprehensive truce with Israel and invited Hamas into his government.
The setting of yesterday’s news conference reflected Hamas’ growing concerns for the safety of its leaders. Yassin spoke to journalists at a mosque, presumably a site Israel would not attack because of religious sensitivities.
