A senior Palestinian official said on Saturday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) rejected a Hamas proposal to protect electoral offices during the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The proposal came after dozens of armed militants affiliated with Fatah's armed wing al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attacked several Central Elections Committee (CEC) offices in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank last week.

Interior Minister spokesman Tawfik Abu Khousa told reporters that it was an unaccepted proposal because the municipal elections were held last Thursday in a perfect atmosphere and scored a success.

"It's a shame to offer such a proposal, because there were security and protection during the election. All sides, including Hamas, praised these elections," added Abu Khousa.

In a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, prominent Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haneya proposed to offer the PNA help in protecting these offices from any future attacks by militants during the legislative elections.

The legislative election is set for Jan. 25, 2006, and the candidate registration ended on Dec. 14. The CEC said a final candidate list will be announced on Jan. 2.

Source: Xinhua