Hamas has refused to recognize the extension of the tenure of acting Palestinian Authority Chief, Mahmoud Abbas, describing the decision as illegitimate.

"This is an illegal decision and a political bribe to cover up for the fact that Abbas’s term in office expired a long time ago," Hamas said in a statement, Sari al-Khalili, Press TV correspondent reported.

"Abbas’s term in office expired and no one has the right to extend his mandate," it added.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)’s Central Council extended Abbas’s term beyond January. His mandate expired in early 2009.

The resistance movement has also rejected the extension of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)’s mandate which is due to expire in January 2010.

"Anything issued by the Central Council is illegal since the council had expired its term and its decisions are no longer binding to the Palestinian people," Hamas said in a statement.

The statement said, "the Palestinian people is the source of legitimacy," not the PLO’s legislature.

"The PLC is the master of itself according to the basic law and will keep carrying out its work until a new PLC is elected and sworn in," it added.

Hamas described the move as a "coup against the Palestinian constitution".

(Press TV)