Thousands of Fatah faithfuls stage rally against Hamas

Source: CCTV.com | 01-12-2007 14:46

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement have staged a large rally in a show of strength against Hamas.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza city to protest against the latest violence between Hamas and Fatah.

Thousands of Fatah faithfuls waved the movement's yellow flags as they streamed into Abbas's walled headquarters. They were here to mark the 42th anniversary of the group's official establishment in 1964.

President Abbas was cheered by supporters as he arrived at the rally to address the crowd.

A senior aide to Abbas said that negotiations on bringing Fatah into the Hamas-led Palestinian cabinet will soon resume.

If the talks fail, Abbas would proceed with his plan for calling early election. Abbas insists Hamas must soften its positions so the program of the new coalition will be acceptable to the international community.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians gathered in front of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza city to protest against the latest violence between Hamas and Fatah.

The protesters were carrying Palestinian National Authority flags to signify their desire for unity between the rival factions.

Fatah and Hamas have been locked in a violent power struggle ever since the Islamic Resistant Movement won parliamentary elections last year.

More than 30 Palestinians have been killed in factional violence since last December. The fighting has mostly taken place in the Gaza Strip, but in recent days it has started to spread to the West Bank.

Editor:Du Xiaodan