Haneya: Hamas' resistance "political innovation"

Deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya Monday said the Hamas' adoption of resistance is "a political innovation."

"The resistance is not only a rifle or an explosive device, it is a concept, culture and personality and we are running a government that protects and defends the program of resistance," Haneya said in statements published Monday by his government's media office.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fired Haneya's government in June 2007 after the Islamic movement routed his forces and took control of the Gaza Strip.

In spite of being sacked, Haneya said his government remained functioning "to run the daily life matters of the Palestinian people without falling in the peril of political concessions," implicitly slamming the West Bank-based Palestinian National Authority for liaising with Israel.

The international community boycotts Hamas government since the Islamic movement vowed to destroy Israel.

Haneya said U.S. President Barack Obama's speech in June "reflected a desire to change in the U.S. policies towards the region in general and the Palestinian cause in particular."

"What is important for us is that the words are matched with deeds to restore the Palestinian people's rights and establish their independent statehood," Haneya said.

He added that Hamas "will not be an obstacle to achieve security, stability and peace in the region." Earlier, Hamas' politburo chief Khaled Mashaal said his movement accepts a Palestinian statehood alongside Israel.

On the other hand, Haneya slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who also delivered a speech in June raising a series of conditions to accept a Palestinian statehood.

"Netanyahu's speech reflects the nature of the Zionist mentality which rejects giving back any minimum Palestinian right," according to Haneya.

As for the Egyptian-sponsored reconciliation talks between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah movement, Haneya said he "will not be an obstacle in the face of the reconciliation."

But he blamed Fatah for delaying the agreement, accusing it of being subject to U.S. and Israeli conditions and orders.