Hamas on Tuesday withdrew its authorization of President Mahmoud Abbas as the head of negotiations.

Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya said Abbas' mandate was not valid without the party's recognition.

He also dismissed the PA's claim that it negotiated on behalf of Palestinians. Hamas does not participate in talks with Israel.

The move follows the release of secret PLO documents covering a decade of negotiations with Israel, leaked to the Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera.

The papers -- including minutes of private meetings, emails, maps and reports -- reveal PLO negotiators offered huge concessions to Israel on refugees' rights and the status of Jerusalem.

Abbas dismissed the documents as forgeries, and said documents related to talks with Israel were distributed to the Arab League.

PLO officials have accused Al-Jazeera and the Qatari Emir of inciting a campaign to topple the president and the PA.

Hamas officials however have hailed the papers as proof of the PA's collaboration with Israel.