GAZA, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The Palestinian militant group Hamas defeated mainstream Fatah movement in three main West Bank cities in the fourth phase of municipal elections.
Initial results indicated Friday Hamas won the majority of seats, at least eight, in Nablus, the West Bank's largest population center of 50,000 voters.
Fatah grabbed three seats of the 15-member municipal council, as Hamas' share is expected to increase with the progressing of vote counting.
In Jenin, the second-largest city in the West Bank with some 13,000 voters, Hamas grabbed nine seats, compared to six seats for Fatah.
Also in Beira, another important population center, sources said Hamas won eight seats compared to four seats for Fatah and three seats for other lists.
With the announcement of the first unofficial results, Hamas supporters and militants took to the streets in Nablus to celebrate their victory over Fatah, which is the backbone of the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas.
In Ramallah, two coalition lists, one grouping the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and independent candidates, and one comprising Fatah and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, won six seats each, while Hamas grabbed the remaining three seats of the 15-member municipal council.
In Gaza, where elections were held in three constituencies, seats were shared between Fatah and Hamas.
Observers argue the results, notably Hamas's great showing in municipal poll, carried important indications about the results of the upcoming legislative elections slated on Jan. 15.
