Hamas: Leader Khaled Mashaal won't seek new term (AP)

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip ? The Islamic militant group Hamas says in a statement that their chief, Khaled Mashaal, won't seek re-election.

The Palestinian group urges him to reconsider his decision, saying the issue of who leads the decades-old militant movement should be left to Hamas institutions. Hamas says the decision shouldn't be made by one person ? even its leader.

The group issued the statement Saturday to reporters via e-mail.

Mashaal, who is based in Damascus, was not immediately available for comment.

It is not clear when Hamas would conduct new, internal elections. The militant group elects leaders through a body it calls the Shura Council.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120121/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_palestinians

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