Hamas says ready to form Palestinian army

DAMASCUS, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The Islamic militant group Hamas is ready to merge armed factions including its military wing to form an army to defend the Palestinian people, a senior Hamas leader said on Saturday.

"We are willing to form an army like every country ... an army to defend our people against aggression," Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal told a news conference in Damascus following the group's sweeping victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Asked whether Hamas would consider amending its charter and respect agreements the Palestinian Authority had signed with Israel, Meshaal said: "We will not recognise the Israeli occupation but we are realistic and we know things are done gradually."

Hamas's charter calls for the destruction of Israel.

Meshaal also reiterated the group's desire to form a government comprising all other Palestinian factions, including President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group.

"We believe it is in the interest of everybody to ride the train of Hamas because this train is going to reach (its destination)," he said.

"We are still extending our hands to everybody and saying we need each other."