GAZA CITY [MENL] -- The Palestinian Authority has been preparing to transfer security authority to the new Hamas-elect government.

Officials said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has held meetings with Hamas representatives to discuss the transfer of security agencies to the authority of Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh led Hamas to capture the Palestinian Legislative Council in elections on Jan. 25.

"We'll grant Hamas authority over Palestinian national security because we need to have one body that controls the situation to ensure security," Abbas told the Qatari-based A-Jazeera satellite channel. "I don't intend to deprive Hamas of what I demanded in the past from Yasser Arafat."

Abbas served as prime minister under Arafat in 2003. During his brief tenure, Abbas demanded control of police and several security agencies.