"Hamas is not serious. They are taking the Gaza Strip away from home," said Fatah Central Committee member Jamal Mhaisen.

Mhaisen's remarks came in response to Hamas' rejection of a delegation Palestinian President Abbas planned to send to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to help restore political unity to Gaza and West Bank.

The Fatah official added that the visit of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and members of Fatah's Central Committee "is still subject to Hamas' flexibility and readiness to make the delegation's mission successful."

Hamas said there is no need for Abbas' delegation to come to Gaza because they will only press Hamas to accept the Egyptian proposal for reconciliation.

Hamas, which seized control of the Gaza Strip by force in June 2007, opposes the reconciliation pact drafted by Egypt in October which envisions an end to the political split between Gaza and the West Bank, saying it has reservations that need to be reconsidered. Fatah accepted the Egyptian proposal.

Mhaissen said the delegation aimed to discuss with Hamas about their reservations during its Gaza tour, especially some controversial issues such as the presidential and parliamentary elections and reforming the PLO.

He stressed: "Hamas' rejection to the visit means they are not interested in reconciliation."

Meanwhile, the head of independent Palestinian figures, Yasser Al-Wadiyeh, urged Abbas to postpone municipal elections in the West Bank scheduled for July to make room for efforts to reconcile the rival movements. Hamas won the last legislative elections in 2006 and grabbed hold of the Gaza Strip violently in 2007 after defeating forces loyal to Abbas. This led to a blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel and Egypt.

Al-Wadiyeh added that putting off the elections would help make the reconciliation efforts between the two movements a success.

He added that the reconciliation would restore political unity to the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad decided in February to hold the municipal elections in the West Bank in July, a decision that was snubbed by Hamas saying they would boycott it.

According to Al-Wadiyeh, "the priority should be given to achieving national unity." "Confidence-building between the two parties should be reached to help end the split," he said.