Fatah and Hamas leaders call to maintain shaky ceasefire

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-19-2006 11:23

Leaders of Fatah and Hamas have called on militants of all factions to maintain the fragile truce in Gaza. The shaky ceasefire appeared to be holding on Monday, despite several violations, after days of heavy fighting.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for peace and restraint from both Fatah and Hamas factions, amid fears that the violence could push the Gaza Strip to the brink of civil war. "We hope that everyone will commit to the truce so we can move on to future steps." Abbas said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Officials from Hamas and Fatah were expected to meet on Monday to try to cement the ceasefire.

Hamas officials expressed hopes that the truce would last.

Palestinian Interior Minister, Saeed Seyam said, "I congratulate the brothers in Hamas and Fatah on the agreement they reached last night with the committees involved with the help of the factions. And we pray to God that this agreement will hold and that parties will abide by it to save the blood of our people."

Fighting escalated after Abbas called for fresh presidential and parliamentary elections.

The truce calls for the rival factions to pull back their fighters. It also calls for Abbas's security forces to end a day-long siege of the two Hamas-led government ministries.

Clashes have decreased since Sunday night, but a Fatah member was killed in a refugee camp in northern Gaza during fighting between Fatah and Hamas.

Editor:Du Xiaodan