Abbas says he'll call Palestinian vote `very soon'

Hamas, which wrested control of Gaza from Abbas 18 months ago, contends that his term as president ends Jan. 8. Abbas initially said he has another year, but polls indicate most Palestinians disagree with him.

A call for elections appears to be the only way for Abbas to retain legitimacy. However, it remains unclear whether he actually intends to hold them, or just plans to call for a vote as a tactical move, with the expectation that Hamas would refuse to go along.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Tuesday that Hamas opposes holding elections before the rivals have worked out their differences. Hamas could block elections in Gaza, and it's not clear whether Abbas would agree to hold elections only in the West Bank since that would deepen the split between the territories.

Abbas aide Saeb Erekat it would be a bad idea to hold elections only in the West Bank, adding that he is expressing his personal view.

Still, Abbas was moving ahead. On Tuesday, after meeting with a former Russian prime minister, he said that "we will call for parliamentary and presidential elections soon, very soon, in the West Bank and Gaza."

On Monday, he met with the heads of the Palestinian Central Election Commission and is to consult with them again next week. The commission is to present possible dates for elections.

Palestinian officials said they expect Abbas to announce a date before the end of the month. After such an announcement, elections could be held 90 days later, at the earliest.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, an Israeli military court sentenced Abdel Aziz Duaik, the Palestinian parliament speaker, to 36 months in prison for membership in Hamas. Duaik was arrested by Israel in August 2006. The court noted that Duaik, 60, has served almost 29 months and will be released in August.

Israeli has arrested 40 Hamas lawmakers since June 2006, when Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid. Seven have been released after finishing their terms, but Hamas demands Israel release the rest as a part of an exchange.