Abbas Vows End to Arms Display in Territories

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas declared yesterday his intentions “to end the public display or show of arms” in Palestinian territories, and make sure the needed steps are taken so that “we can make the citizens feel secure.”In his first interview since he was chosen head of the PLO following Yasser Arafat’s death, Mr. Abbas told Reuters that the Palestinian Authority “will act firmly against anyone who violates the law.”Mr. Abbas did not, however, specify whether PA security forces intend to crack down on groups planning attacks against Israeli targets.Mr. Abbas also urged Israel to put a stop to its military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, leaving it up to the PA to enforce law and order in the area.Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced yesterday that they would not participate in the elections for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority and dismissed a proposal for suspending terrorist attacks on Israel ahead of the vote, slated for January 9.The announcement came at the end of two days of talks in Gaza City between Mr. Abbas and leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Palestinian Arab sources in Gaza City said Mr. Abbas urged the two groups to halt attacks against Israel during the period of preparation for the presidential elections.According to the sources, Mr. Abbas assured the two Islamic groups that Israel would halt its policy of targeted killings, house demolitions, and incursions into Palestinian areas if they agreed to stop the terrorist attacks.But the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad rejected Mr. Abbas’s proposal, saying the “armed resistance” will continue for as long as Israel occupies Palestinian land.Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhari denied that Mr. Abbas had proposed a cease-fire with Israel. “He only said that he wants calm on the internal level, and not an end to the struggle against the occupation,” he said.Ziad Abu Amer, a Palestinian Arab legislator and former Cabinet minister who participated in the discussions, said that Mr. Abbas stressed the need for security and stability in the period preceding the elections.“He told the Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders that the Palestinians need a quiet period to prepare for the presidential elections,” he said. “He explained that in order for the elections to be held freely and fairly, there was a need for calm and security. It would be impossible to hold elections in a climate of instability and chaos.”The PLO chairman proposed a temporary truce “only for the next two months till the presidential elections are held,” Mr. Amer added. Explaining his movement’s decision to boycott the presidential elections, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told reporters after a three-hour meeting with Mr. Abbas: “The presidential election is illegal. This election is a continuation of the Oslo process which has already failed and is finished.”He also denied that Mr. Abbas had called for a truce. “We only talked about how to calm the internal situation,” he said. “Abu Mazen is not going to repeat the mistakes of the past because he already failed.”

Abbas Vows End to Arms Display in Territories

Abbas Vows End to Arms Display in Territories

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