Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya said Monday his security services in Gaza would not be terminated in the future reconciliation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party.

"Security institutions that were built on national basis and faith must remain," said Ismail Haneya during the graduation ceremony of Hamas police school attendants in Gaza city.

In 2007, Hamas set up its own security services after it routed Abbas' forces and ousted his Fatah party in a brief civil war. By now, Hamas government's security services comprise 16,000 personnel.

Haneya said Hamas forces restored order and ended lawlessness in Gaza, stressing that "This is a pure national institution working for Palestine."

Hinting at Abbas' forces that now hold sway in the West Bank, Haneya said Gaza security services do not liaise and cooperate with Israel.

Meanwhile, Jamal Muhissen, a Fatah official, said that Hamas applied factional criteria in setting up its security services, adding that "Haneya's remarks mean that he does not want a real reconciliation."

Security is one of several issues that obstruct the implementation of the reconciliation agreement brokered by Egypt, under which Hamas and Fatah need to agree on forming a unity government, holding elections and reforming the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).