Prominent leader of the Palestinian ruling Fatah movement Marwan al-Barghouti, who is currently jailed by Israel, has said the coming Israeli Gaza pullout was an outcome of the Palestinian armed struggle, local newspaper al-Ayyam daily reported Monday.

Barghouti was quoted as saying that the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank this summer was an outcome of armed resistance, not that of the skills and expertise of negotiators.

"In two months, we will probably witness the first Israeli real withdrawal from part of the Palestinian lands without condition and without gains granted to the occupiers," Barghouti said.

"This did not come from the negotiating table but by the Intifada (uprising)," added Barghouti, who is currently serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison.

He also described the withdrawal as an escape of the Israeli troops and settlers which marked the start of the collapse of the Israeli occupation and the Jewish settlements set up in Palestinian lands Israel seized during the 1967 Mideast war.

In addition, the prominent Fatah leader welcomed the participation of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the recent Palestinian municipal elections, saying "we have to encourage Hamas to move forward in its democratic option."

"Hamas is moving toward major changes since it has decided to participate the elections and the government," he said, adding " Hamas is an original partner in the battle for freedom and democratic partnership."

Barghouti also called for holding the parliamentary elections before the end of the year.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ordered to postpone the elections, which sparked fierce opposition from Hamas. No new date has yet been announced.

Barghouti, 46, is a veteran Fatah member and prominent leader with huge appeal especially among the younger generation.

Arrested in an Israeli army raid in April 2002, he was put on trial a year later on charges of orchestrating ambushes and suicide bombings, convicted and given five life sentences.

Source: Xinhua