Abbas urges Islamic militants to respect cease-fire

Описание: (9 Jun 2005)

1. Various of meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and members of Palestinian factions
2. Mid shot Abbas embracing various men
3. Exterior people coming out of building
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Samir Mashharawi, member of Fatah party
"We have discussed the internal situation and the security chaos and the need for cooperation from all parties in order to achieve a united front and to enforce the law that will ensure solidarity in the face of future events."
5. Wide shot Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri as he steps up to microphones
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman
"During the meeting with Abu Mazen (Abbas) we have stressed that as long as Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people continues, the resistance will continue in response to this aggression."
7. Security in doorway of government building
8. Wide shot exterior government building

STORYLINE:

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday urged Islamic militants to respect a shaky cease-fire with Israel and offered them a role in preparations for Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, officials said.

Abbas made his comments during a meeting with Islamic militants which follows a sudden upsurge in violence in recent days that has strained the truce with Israel.

The Palestinian leader's offer appeared to be an attempt to preserve calm and prevent violence during the Israeli withdrawal of settlers and soldiers scheduled to begin later this summer.

Samir Mashharawi, a member of Abbas' Fatah party who attended the meeting, said that they had discussed the security situation and ways for all the parties to cooperate with each other to ensure solidarity.

He said the Palestinian leader had urged the militants to halt attacks, even if they are in response to perceived Israeli violations.

He said Abbas agreed to form a "high national commission" with the militants to "coordinate and consult" with the Palestinian leadership over the Israeli withdrawal.

Israel has threatened harsh reprisals if soldiers or settlers are attacked during the withdrawal.

Representatives of the militant groups confirmed that they had agreed to join the high commission.

But they said they would reserve the right to mount attacks if they decide Israel has violated the cease-fire.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the group had stressed during the meeting that "as long as Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people continues, the resistance will continue in response to this aggression."

Israel and the Palestinians are trying to keep the truce intact to allow them to coordinate the Gaza pullout, scheduled to begin in mid-August.

Both sides have agreed to coordinate the Gaza pullout to prevent violence or chaos during the operation, but little concrete progress has been made.

A new round of violence from both sides, concentrated mostly in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank, has increased Israeli fears that the cease-fire could collapse and militants will fire on settlers and security forces during the evacuation.

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