GAZA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Islamic resistance movement (Hamas) officials rejected on Saturday the call of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for holding early parliamentary and presidential elections in the Palestinian territories.

    "We reject President Mahmoud Abbas' calls for holding early elections. And if he got tired of the situation, he should resign instead. There will be no early elections Inshallah." said foreign minister of the Hamas-led government Mahmoud al-Zahar.

    Zahar said that "Abbas' decision was a turning-down of the Palestinian people's voted choice, and this is unacceptable."

    Abbas decided on Saturday to hold early preliminary and presidential elections in spite of great opposition from the ruling Hamas movement.

    "I decided to call early presidential and parliamentary elections," says Abbas amid applause by officials attending his live televised speech.

    Since the people are the source of authority, we will return to them and let them say their word, said Abbas.

    The president did not set a date for holding the elections, but said he had discussed with the committee of elections how to hold polls as soon as possible.

    Dozens of supporters and militant members of Fatah movement linked to Abbas took to the streets, intensively fired in the air and chanted slogans in support for Abbas' calls.

    However, Hanan Ashrawi, an independent Palestinian lawmaker said that before going for early elections "the opportunity to resume the dialogue and form a national unity government must be given."

    "President Abbas didn't setup a date for holding early elections, and kept the door for dialogue open. We should do all our best to save the current situation and save the country from more bloodshed," said Ashrawi.

    The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has also refused the call for early elections and called for resuming inter-Palestinian national dialogue.

    Abbas made the call in a two-hour speech where he reviewed the political and fiscal crisis occurred in the Palestinian territories when Hamas took office in March after winning this year's parliamentary elections.

    Meanwhile, Ahmed Bahar, deputy speaker of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Legislative Council, said that Abbas has no right to call for new elections.

    But the Abbas, who is also chief of Fatah movement, defended his decision and said that he can sack the Hamas-led government as he "decreed it into office."