Hamas, Hezbollah sign accord

BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 4 (UPI) -- Hamas and Hezbollah leaders met in Beirut Monday and signed a statement declaring a war against Israel as being legitimate, Middle East Newsline reported.

The meeting of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas Political Chief Khaled Mashaal -- who is based in Damascus -- ended with a joint call against disarming their groups.

Hamas, also known as the Islamic Resistance Movement, said the reduction in the Palestinian insurgency campaign in the West Bank and Gaza Strip depended on the halt of Israeli attacks and the release of all Palestinian prisoners.

"Hamas will not be committed to remain calm if Israel fails to meet its demands," Hamas said in the statement.