Palestinian Authority President Mahmud has called presidential and legislative elections for 24 January in all Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has rejected the call as illegal and unconstitutional. Mr Abbas, whose term expired in early 2009, has been trying to press Hamas to reach a unity deal with his moderate Fatah faction, which is in control of the West Bank. The two sides have been at loggerheads since the late 1990s. In 2007 tensions came to a head, when Hamas militants drove all Fatah members from Gaza.

Photo: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (EPA)