Special report: Internal situation in Palestine

    RAMALLAH, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas' Fatah movement on Tuesday threatened to withdraw from the Hamas-led unity government, while Hamas issued ultimatum to Fatah-allied security forces to leave their positions in Gaza.

    Fatah spokesman Ahmed Adelrahman made the warning in a statement after the factional fighting between the two rival parties killed at least 17 people since Monday.

    Adelrahman noted in the statement that Fatah's central committee will decide within hours if it should quit the three-month-old Hamas-led unity government.

    "The central committee will hold an emergency meeting to take a definitive decision regarding it remaining in government and the legislative council (parliament)," said the spokesman, adding the movement would make a decision in the coming hours.

    Meanwhile, Hamas's armed wing threatened to storm security headquarters in Gaza City controlled by Fatah unless they are evacuated immediately. an ultimatum verging on a declaration of war.

    The ultimatum was announced on a Hamas radio station, giving Fatah until 2 p.m. (1100 GMT) to pull security men out of the military intelligence, presidential guard, national security and preventive security facilities.

    The fierce infighting between rival Fatah and Hamas movements' militants continued Tuesday for the second consecutive day in the Gaza Strip, leaving a total of 17 people dead.

    President Abbas' office on Tuesday accused Hamas of plotting a coup and pushing the Palestinian territories to the brink of a civil war.

    "All information and facts indicate that some political and military leaders of Hamas are plotting a coup against legitimate institutions... in a belief that they can control the Gaza Strip through force," the office said in a statement.

    Hamas' actions were "pushing the (Palestinian) territories towards the edge of a civil war," it said, adding that Abbas called all parties to implement an immediate ceasefire and hold serious dialogues.