Abbas calls elections amid Palestinian civil war fears

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced today that he would call new presidential and parliament elections at the earliest possible date, in a bold challenge to ruling Hamas militants that risked sparking a full-scale civil war.

The Hamas government, which has drawn crushing international sanctions over its militantly anti-Israel stand, accused Abbas’ of carrying out a “coup” against the Palestinian people, who voted the Islamic group into power just 11 months ago. Hamas leaders, including Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, called on Abbas to resign.