Hamas 'must be moderate': Abbas

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas today asked Hamas to form the next Palestinian government, but demanded that the Islamic militants recognise existing peace deals and back his moderate policies, including negotiations with Israel.

Abbas made the demands in a speech to the new Hamas-dominated parliament, after legislators were sworn in by collective oath. Hamas controls 74 of 132 seats, but Abbas retains considerable power as Palestinian Authoriy president, controlling foreign affairs, security and peace negotiations.