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25-05-06, 13:22
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will hold a referendum on the parameters of a Palestinian state if Fatah and Hamas cannot agree on a political programme.
He was speaking at a conference aimed at ending violence and political divisions between the main factions.
Mr Abbas' Fatah recognises Israel, and wants a state in occupied territories with a capital in East Jerusalem.
Hamas does not recognise Israel, and officially calls for an Islamic state in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
However, Hamas' Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister, has said recently that Hamas would observe a long-term ceasefire if Israel withdrew to its pre-1967 borders.
Prisoners' plan
Mr Abbas was quick to play down suggestions his move was meant as an challenge to Hamas.
However, he pledged to call a referendum if Hamas and Fatah failed to agree on a unified position after 10 days of talks.
Prisoners urge unity
Without any political agreement Mr Abbas, who heads the Palestinian Authority, said he would put a proposal drafted by jailed Palestinian leaders to a public vote.
The referendum would be held within 40 days, he told delegates: "The situation is getting more dangerous. The whole nation is in danger. We can't wait for the rest of our lives."
The 18-point document was agreed by senior figures from Hamas, Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Islamic Jihad.
It sets out formal Palestinian claims to an independent state on land occupied by Israel in 1967, as well as the right of all Palestinian refugees to return to former homes inside Israel.
Thousands of Palestinians left their homes during war following the establishment of Israel in 1948.
The document calls for continued resistance within lands occupied by Israel in 1967, suggesting that attacks inside pre-1967 Israel would end.
Hamas officials signalled broad support for the referendum, reports say.
He was speaking at a conference aimed at ending violence and political divisions between the main factions.
Mr Abbas' Fatah recognises Israel, and wants a state in occupied territories with a capital in East Jerusalem.
Hamas does not recognise Israel, and officially calls for an Islamic state in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
However, Hamas' Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister, has said recently that Hamas would observe a long-term ceasefire if Israel withdrew to its pre-1967 borders.
Prisoners' plan
Mr Abbas was quick to play down suggestions his move was meant as an challenge to Hamas.
However, he pledged to call a referendum if Hamas and Fatah failed to agree on a unified position after 10 days of talks.
Prisoners urge unity
Without any political agreement Mr Abbas, who heads the Palestinian Authority, said he would put a proposal drafted by jailed Palestinian leaders to a public vote.
The referendum would be held within 40 days, he told delegates: "The situation is getting more dangerous. The whole nation is in danger. We can't wait for the rest of our lives."
The 18-point document was agreed by senior figures from Hamas, Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Islamic Jihad.
It sets out formal Palestinian claims to an independent state on land occupied by Israel in 1967, as well as the right of all Palestinian refugees to return to former homes inside Israel.
Thousands of Palestinians left their homes during war following the establishment of Israel in 1948.
The document calls for continued resistance within lands occupied by Israel in 1967, suggesting that attacks inside pre-1967 Israel would end.
Hamas officials signalled broad support for the referendum, reports say.