A spokesman of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the West Bank said on Thursday that the group intended to set up a technocrat cabinet after its landslide election victory.

Farhat As'ad told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that Hamas would be able to form a cabinet of professionals and capable politicians within the time limit set by the Palestinian law.

Defeating President Mahmoud Abbas' long dominant Fatah movement in the Jan. 25 parliamentary elections, Hamas has become the largest bloc in the legislature with 74 seats. The newly-elected Hamas-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) was sworn in on Feb. 18.

On Feb. 21, Abbas formally appointed Gaza-based Hamas leader Ismail Haneya as new prime minister and tasked him with forming the next Palestinian government, which is expected to come within up to five weeks according to the law.

As'ad said that Hamas might bring technocrats from outside the group into the new cabinet.

He added that Hamas would continue contacts with other Palestinian factions and parties, including the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) which boycotted the January polls, over the formation of the government, but did not rule out the possibility of setting up a cabinet by the group alone.

"Although Jihad leaders refused to participate in the elections and a Hamas-led government, they have assured Hamas during our meetings that Jihad would not carry out any action that might lead to Hamas' administrative failure," said As'ad.

"Jihad believes that the coming Hamas-led cabinet is an Islamic project that should be protected," he added.

In addition, the Hamas spokesman said current pressures by Israel and the Quartet Committee on the group would not prevent Hamas from exercising its duties as the ruling Palestinian faction. Following Hamas' election victory, Israel has approved a set of punitive measures against a Hamas-led government, including the halt of monthly transfer of tax money.

Meanwhile, the Quartet Committee of international mediators--the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia-- also threatened to cut aid to the Palestinians if Hamas did not renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept previous Palestinian agreements with Israel.

Palestinian President Abbas also called upon Hamas to open talks with Israel and lay down arms.

But Hamas flatly rejected the demands, defending armed resistance as a legal right of the Palestinian people. As'ad expressed optimism that such pressures would minimize in the coming future, saying that Hamas was prepared for a halt of tax payment and aid from Israel and the US.

"Israel and the American money should go to hell," he said. "All what I can say is that the coming few years will witness a flourished Palestinian economy and Hamas will certainly find other aid sources instead of Israel and the United States." Hamas has dispatched senior leaders around the Arab and Islamic countries to seek both political and financial support. In addition, As'ad reiterated that Hamas would not recognize Israel nor to open negotiations with the Jewish state. "The Israelis are not interested in any peace negotiations with the Palestinians," he said.

But As'ad echoed Hamas premier-designate Haneya's statement that it was possible for Hamas to agree on a long-term truce with Israel if the Jewish state withdrew to the borders before the 1967 Mideast War.

"If Israel is ready to implement the international resolutions to end occupation and grant the Palestinians all their legitimate rights, then Hamas will be ready to negotiate with Israel on along-term truce," he said.

When asked about what Hamas thinks of Palestinian President Abbas, As'ad said, "Abu Mazen (Abbas) is a very smart negotiator and Hamas is a very smart negotiator as well."

"Abbas is a wise man and he is able to decide what he can achieve and what he cannot," he added.

Abbas' Fatah movement is currently holding meetings with Hamas over the formation of the new government. Fatah is expected to decide on whether to join the Hamas-led cabinet this weekend.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2006)