puppetmaster
June 14th, 2007, 11:46 AM
Fierce factional violence has continued in the Gaza Strip, with Hamas fighters battling forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president and leader of Fatah.
Residents said Hamas appeared to be in control of many areas Gaza on Thursday and were surrounding Fatah forces across the territory.
As the fighting continued, the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation recommended that Abbas dismiss the national unity government, during a meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The executive also recommended that the president declare a state of emergency in Gaza and the West Bank, and seek international protection against Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing.
"The executive committee authorised Abbas to take whatever decision he judges appropriate with regard to the government and to resolve the current crisis," said one participant.
More than 80 people have been killed since Saturday in the worst factional violence since Hamas won a parliamentary election last year. This makes the Middle Eastern conflicts total at three, and with Iran supplying the Taliban with weapons there could be four before the end of the year.
Residents said Hamas appeared to be in control of many areas Gaza on Thursday and were surrounding Fatah forces across the territory.
As the fighting continued, the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation recommended that Abbas dismiss the national unity government, during a meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The executive also recommended that the president declare a state of emergency in Gaza and the West Bank, and seek international protection against Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing.
"The executive committee authorised Abbas to take whatever decision he judges appropriate with regard to the government and to resolve the current crisis," said one participant.
More than 80 people have been killed since Saturday in the worst factional violence since Hamas won a parliamentary election last year. This makes the Middle Eastern conflicts total at three, and with Iran supplying the Taliban with weapons there could be four before the end of the year.