Unity government will reject violence: Abbas

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Saturday the new unity government he is set to head with the backing of Hamas would reject violence and recognise Israel and existing agreements. Abbas was speaking the Palestine Liberation Organisation's Central Council, which had convened to chart a course of action after Israel suspended US-brokered peace talks in response to the deal with Hamas. Israel said it would not negotiate with a government backed by Hamas, the armed Islamist movement ruling the Gaza Strip, which is pledged to the destruction of the Jewish state and has always rejected peace talks. "The upcoming government will obey my policy," Abbas told members of his PLO on Saturday. "I recognise Israel and reject violence and terrorism, and recognise international commitments" according to AFP.