Khaled Mashaal will not seek re-election, announces Hamas

Gaza Strip - Independent Maghreb Press Agency - The Islamic group Hamas says in a statement that their chief, Khaled Mashaal, won’t seek re-election.

The Palestinian group urges him to reconsider his decision, saying the issue of who leads the decades-old militant movement should be left to Hamas institutions. Hamas says the decision shouldn’t be made by one person ─ even its leader.

The group issued the statement Saturday to reporters via e-mail.

Mashaal, who is based in Damascus, was not immediately available for comment.

It is not clear when Hamas would conduct new, internal elections. The group elects leaders through a body it calls the Shura Council.