Palestinians vow not to disarm militants

"It is inconceivable to disarm factions at this time because armament is legal as long as the occupation continues," he told Palestinian public television. "Keeping our weapons is a strategic option."

His comments came after Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas held talks with armed groups in the Gaza Strip over an increasingly fragile truce that has been shaken by a recent flare-up in violence.

Qidwa reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's will to preserve the period of calm, saying it "serves the national interest," as long as the truce is also observed by Israel.

He said Abbas's governing Fatah movement was committed to halting attacks on civilians in Israel as well as settlers and Israeli soldiers in occupied territories.

Israel has demanded that the Palestinian Authority disarm militant groups according to the internationally drafted roadmap to peace which aims for the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

Palestinian Islamist movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad, behind most of the attacks against Israel, have long refused to surrender their weapons.

Meanwhile, Abbas has agreed to free Islamist militants jailed for a bomb attack in Tel Aviv, a group leader said.