Gaza - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement on Saturday accused Hamas rulers of Gaza Strip of arresting several Fatah district leaders and officials.

Fatah spokesman Fehmi al-Za'areer said that at least seven of those arrested by Hamas on Saturday morning were leading members, including Abdel Rahman Hamas, a former minister and a member of Fatah higher committee in Gaza Strip.

He added the arrests were made after Fatah tried to organize a symposium in al-Azhar University which is known for being a pro-Fatah venue. The reason of the arrest is "to prevent Fatah from staging any activities in Gaza Strip," according to al-Za'areer.

Hamas has controlled Gaza Strip since it routed pro-Abbas forces and ousted Fatah in 2007. Abbas consolidated his rule in West Bank and formed a western-backed government there while Hamas installed its own administration in the coastal enclave.

Fatah said the recent crackdown shoed Hamas' "intentions to foil the national Palestinian dialogue." The second round of the Egyptian- hosted reconciliation talks are to resume in Cairo on Tuesday. (dpa)