GAZA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement, which rules the Gaza Strip, said on Tuesday that it is ready to do what is needed in the process of holding the general elections in the Palestinian territories.

Hazem Qassem, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in a statement that holding the elections "is a basic right for the Palestinian people and is a due and a must for the Palestinian Authority and its leadership."

"We expressed our readiness to join the electoral process from the very beginning when President Mahmoud Abbas announced in the United Nations that he intends to call for holding the general elections soon," said Qassem.

He called on President Abbas to accept the initiative of eight various Palestinian factions and political powers to end the internal division, make reconciliation and hold the general elections in the Palestinian territories.

The initiative will pave the way for holding the presidential and legislative elections and stipulating a date for holding the elections for the Palestinian National Council.

Abbas on Monday designated Hanna Nasser, chief of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, to start contacts with the Palestinian factions and political powers on holding the legislative elections.