Abbas's security forces get weapons in Gaza

Jerusalem, Dec 28: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's security forces received a few thousand weapons and ammunition in Gaza via Egypt amid Western bids to bolster him against rival faction Hamas, Israeli media reported today.

The reports did not specify the source of the arms. There was no immediate comment from Israeli or Palestinian officials. A shaky truce between the Fatah and Hamas is currently in effect. But at least ten Palestinians have died in violence between forces loyal to Abbas and those of the governing Hamas movement since his call this month for new elections.

Hamas, which beat Fatah in parliamentary elections in January, has said Abbas's call amounted to a ''coup''.

Israeli media, quoting Israeli sources, said the weapons consignment was delivered in recent days and was approved by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government. It included a few thousand assault rifles and thousands of ammunition magazines.

The Haaretz daily reported that the weapons were transferred to Abbas's forces at Gaza's Kerem Shalom border crossing, in coordination with Israel's military.

Israeli officials have said Washington has been instrumental in helping to organise a number of past shipments of guns and ammunition to Abbas's presidential guard from Egypt and Jordan.

The Bush administration is seeking congressional support to provide up to 100 million dollar to bolster Abbas's presidential guard and expand his control over strategic border crossings.

Sources familiar with the plan have said US money would not be used to provide the presidential guard with ''lethal'' equipment.

Olmert, in his first formal meeting with Abbas on Saturday, pledged 100 million dollar in withheld tax revenues to the Palestinian president, bypassing the Hamas-led government.

Reuters