The Islamic militant assemblage Ha...

The Islamic militant assemblage Hamas secured a commanding legislative victory Thursday across the ruling Fatah party grounded by the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat -- a stunning invert that's certain to reshape Middle East politics.

Palestinian voter upend the regional political dynamics overnight on propelling Hamas into the top echelons of Palestinian power onward Wednesday and transforming Arafat's fractured political party into what its leaders dubbed "the loyal opposition."

In preliminary issues released Thursday night, Hamas candidates surprised level themselves by securing at least 76 of 132 seats in the modern parliament, giving them a mandate to form the nearest Cabinet. Fatah, which controlled 68 of 88 seats in the advanced in years legislature, won just 43 seats in the expanded Palestinian Legislative Council. The quiescence of the seats went to a small number of independent candidates.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and his Cabinet resigned to clear the way