Hamas has rejected a call by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate with Israel on Saturday.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the group rejected the call to talk with Israel since the occupation still exists, adding that the armed resistance is the legal right of the Palestinian people.

"Hamas rejects negotiations with the occupation under the current circumstances, while occupation and aggression continue," he said.

"We re-emphasize the commitment to armed resistance as a natural right of our people," the spokesman said.

Abbas made the call as the newly elected Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) convened its first session both in Ramallah and Gaza City.

After winning 74 seats in the 132-seat parliament in the Jan. 25 legislative elections, Hamas has been asked by Abbas to form the next cabinet.

Hamas had been involved in suicide attacks against Israel since the second Palestinian uprising in 2000, but largely abided by a truce agreement with Israel in 2005.

Source: Xinhua