Hamas said on Saturday that it would not lay down arms unless an independent Palestinian state is established. In a statement, the Palestinian militant faction said its "armed resistance ... cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights,

In the past few days, Arab governments have urged Hamas to disarm and surrender control of Gaza, after a number of Western countries - including France and Canada - announced plan

Hamas has refused to disarm and will only surrender weapons once an autonomous Palestinian nation exists with Jerusalem serving as its capital. Saturday's announcement from the Palestinian militant organisation said that "armed resistance cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights,