World briefs 12/6/4

Opposition readies for new election in Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko kicked off campaigning for the Dec. 26 presidential election rerun Sunday with a call for quick passage of anti-fraud legislation. Supporters signed up by the thousands to monitor balloting and ensure a fair vote. "We are witnessing a struggle between forces of good and forces of evil," Yushchenko told throngs of chanting supporters gathered at Kiev's main square and waving his campaign's orange flags. "The entire world is applauding our victory. The entire world is proud of Ukraine."

Hamas official: We will continue resistance

CHTOURA, Lebanon -- A senior Hamas official expressed hope Sunday that the United States and European Union would be "fairer" in mediating the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but he said his group would continue its resistance even if a Palestinian state was established. Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, told The Associated Press a Palestinian state was a right "stipulated by all international accords" but was not a reason for Hamas to stop its resistance. "There are other rights for the Palestinian people that cannot be forgotten or be conceded," Abu Marzouk said without elaborating. Hamas refuses to accept Israel's right to exist, and it rejected late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's peace accords with the Jewish state.

-- From wire reports