Sheikh Sa'eed Seyam, a senior Islamic resistance movement Hamas leader in Gaza, said Tuesday that Abdel Aziz Ranteesi was chosen to be Hamas leader only in the Gaza Strip. 

Ranteesi was a deputy to Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder and spiritual leader of the movement who was killed in Gaza during an Israeli airstrike on Monday, Seyam said.

"According to Hamas rules and regulations, Ranteesi, the ex-deputy of Sheikh Yassin was chosen to be the leader of the movement and he was chosen to be the leader of the movement in the Gaza Strip only," Seyam said.

He added that another leader for the movement in the West Bank will be chosen soon and there will also be a leader for Hamas movement abroad, "in the Diaspora."

He reiterated that the movement of Hamas is still solid and united despite of the assassination of Sheikh Yassin.

"Hamas has its own Shoura (debates and discussions) council and institutions that don't count on one person despite the character of Sheikh Yassin and the charisma he used to have," Seyam said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2004)