Hardliner replaces Yassin as Hamas leader

ABDEL AZIZ RANTISI, a hardliner who opposes even a temporary truce with Israel, was chosen as the new Hamas leader in Gaza last night.

The replacement for assassinated founder of the group Sheik Ahmed Yassin was announced over loudspeaker during a gathering of tens of thousands of Hamas supporters at a soccer stadium in Gaza City.

"After the assassination of the hero, the martyr Ahmed Yassin, a secret election was held in which Dr Abdel Aziz Rantisi was chosen as the new leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement," senior Hamas official Ismail Hanieh told the crowd.