Hamas leader: Armed wing will not join security forces

The armed wing of the Islamic Hamas will not join Palestinian security forces, a spokesman for the militant group was quoted as saying today, commenting on possible changes as the Islamic group works toward setting up a new government.

The spokesman, called only Abu Obeida in an interview on a Hamas website, said the armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, will not dismantle or join official police forces.