Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and all 13 major Palestinian factions put on a joint display of unity after a rare meeting in the Gaza Strip, as the Palestinians awaited word on their critically ill leader, Yasser Arafat. Qureia met with the factions including Hamas group, on Saturday. All factions joined the call for unity and demanded a role in Palestinian decision making in the post-Arafat era. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported Sunday that Qureia had asked the factions to refrain from attacks inside Israel and allow a new Palestinian leadership to establish itself. Participants denied the report, rejecting the notion of a cease-fire. "As long as the occupation exists and as long as aggression continues the resistance and the self-defense will continue," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Sunday. Earlier, Abu Zuhri said Hamas is seeking a bigger role in decision making. "This time is very sensitive. It's a historic time. There is no space for any unilateral decisions," he said. "Everyone now is calling for the formation of a united Palestinian leadership. This is a demand of our people," he said. --MORE 1357 Local Time 1057 GMT
