Abbas says won't return to Gaza unless Hamas cedes control
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says that unless he gets full control over the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, including the group's weapons, he will "not be responsible for what goes on" there.
Abbas' comments late Sunday dealt another blow to months of U.S.-backed Egyptian efforts to negotiate a deal that would sideline the Islamic militant Hamas and enable Abbas' self-rule government to return to Gaza.
Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas in 2007.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Recent talks between Abbas and his rivals failed, mainly because Hamas refuses to disarm. This comes as tensions are rising on the Gaza-Israel border, with Hamas leading mass protests to try to break an Israeli-Egyptian border blockade.
Abbas told leaders of his Fatah movement he has informed Egypt of his demands and is waiting to hear back.