RAMALLAH, July 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said Wednesday that forming a national committee to observe a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is not an alternative to forming a national unity cabinet.

   Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a senior Hamas official in the West Bank, told reporters that the committee can never be an alternative to a new cabinet, adding forming such a committee is a demand of all the Palestinian political powers.

   "It was agreed to form such a committee several months ago, but unfortunately the committee has not yet been formed," he said.

   As for Hamas' joining a national unity government, Yousef said Hamas will cooperate with all national and Islamic powers as long as this will serve the Palestinian people, no matter whether it is in a government or not. Enditem