GAZA, Oct. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement(Hamas) Friday urged Palestinian factions to cast their differences aside as the ailing Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat left for France in the morning to receive treatment, reported Doha-based al-Jazeera news channel.

    A Hamas statement was quoted as saying that the movement urged the formation of a unified national leadership to be the highest political echelon for the Palestinian people while wishing a speedy recovery for Arafat.

    Hamas leading member Ismail Haneyeh said that the movement is closely following up what is going on in Ramallah and all news about Arafat's health.

    Hamas is stressing its credibility as it brushes aside any political differences in the face of the Zionist enemy, he said. The key Hamas figure, meanwhile, hoped President Arafat would return home safe and sound and the Palestinian people remain unified in the "ditch" of intifada (uprising) and resistance against Israel.

    Because of being ill for some two weeks, Arafat was airlifted to Amman early Friday morning by a Jordanian military helicopter from his Ramallah headquarters where he has been confined by Israel for more than two years.

    The ailing 75-year-old Palestinian leader left Amman's military airport aboard a French plane at around 8:00 am (0600 GMT) Fridayon his way to Paris for medical treatment.

    During Arafat's absence, there would be no acting leader since the prime minister, the Palestinian Legislative Council and the PLO were all there to address the daily work, said Palestinian officials. Enditem