Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal won8217;t seek new term

The Islamic militant group Hamas says in a statement that their chief,Khaled Mashaal,will not seek re-election.

The Palestinian group urges him to reconsider his decision,saying the issue of who leads the decades-old militant movement should be left to Hamas institutions. Hamas says the decision shouldn8217;t be made by one person 8212; even its leader.

The group issued the statement Saturday to reporters via e-mail.

Mashaal,who is based in Damascus,was not immediately available for comment.

It is not clear when Hamas would conduct new,internal elections. The militant group elects leaders through a body it calls the Shura Council.