JERUSALEM -- Shiekh Hasan Yusef, head of the Hamas political bureau in Rumallah, was released from prison Thursday after 22 months detention.
"It is impossible to have a cease-fire if the issue of prisoners is not solved," Yusef told a news conference near the Palestinian village of Betuniya. "We must not forget the issue of the detainees."
An IDF undercover unit raided a house in Ramallah and arrested Yusef together with two of his bodyguards in August 2002.
Of the upcoming election for chairman of the Palenstinian Authority to replace the late Yasser Arafat, Yussef said, "Elections can only work if they are comprehensive."
His remark echoed recent calls by Hamas to hold general elections for the other Palestinian governmental bodies as well on Jan. 9, the Jerusalem Post reported. Hamas has called for municipal and legislative council elections to be held in addition to the presidential election.
Yusef said Palestinians could only succeed with a united stance.
