Special report: Internal situation in Palestine 

    GAZA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced on Monday that the reasons behind setting up the controversial Executive Force (EF) in Gaza are over, and the force doesn't exist anymore.

    Said Siam, the founder of Hamas EF in Gaza, minister of interior in Hamas-led government in May last year, said the apparatus "is becoming part of a police force that takes care of the resident's security."

    Last year, the formation of the executive force by Hamas in the Gaza Strip had ignited several months of violent fighting with rival Fatah movement. The fight ended up with Hamas control of Gaza Strip in mid June.

    Hamas rejected President Mahmoud Abbas calls to merge the executive force into his security forces, in which he later on outlawed the force and sacked Hamas-led national coalition after Gaza control.

    When it was founded more than a year ago, the force included fighters, who are members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas movement. Later hundreds were recruited into the force.

    Siam told reporters in Gaza that the force now is not more than a police force that its role is to restore security and discipline, adding "there is no right for al-Qassam brigades to detain any people, but should coordinate with the police."

    Hamas leader said the reason for establishing the executive force in the Gaza Strip was the mounting chaos and disorder, adding "the territory witnesses the best ever calm and real security."

    Siam warned rival Fatah leaders, "or anybody else from getting back to the past situation of chaos and disorder," denying earlier reports that Hamas control of Gaza "had weakened Fatah movement."