GAZA, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The Palestinian radical groups Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) denied on Monday that Syria had deported their Damascus-based chiefs.

    The denial was made following US media report that Syria had expelled the militant groups' leaders.

    Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told reporters, "There is nothingnew in the Syrian attitude toward the movement's leadership that deserves to comment on it."

    Abu Zuhri added that the movement's leadership moves freely in the Arab countries and that the movement has no bureau in Syria or in any other countries to be closed.

    Meanwhile, sources of Jihad also denied the US report, saying, "This is a mistaken report and faraway from any truth and this is considered a part of the international pressures campaign that is imposed on Syria."

    Khaled al-Batch, local leader of Jihad in the Gaza Strip, said he believed that these claims "aim to divide the Palestinians."

    The US and Israel accused Damascus-based Islamic Jihad leaders of plotting and ordering the suicide bombing at a Tel Aviv nightclub on Feb.25 which left five Israelis dead and more than 50 others wounded, and Syria was therefore held responsible for the attack. But Damascus denied the charge. Enditem