Abbas takes on Hamas over security appointment

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Apr 21 (Reuters) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today cancelled a senior security appointment by the Hamas-led government, deepening a rift with the new administration as it battles a growing financial crisis.

But Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad told a news conference in Gaza late today the appointment of Jamal Abu Samhadana, a radical high on Israel's wanted list, would stand.

Yesterday, the new government appointed Abu Samhadana to supervise the Interior Ministry and set up a new police force from militants to crack down on anarchy and chaos.

A presidential decree obtained by Reuters said Abbas had cancelled both decisions because they violated previous laws.

''All security leaders, officers and members of the security services are ordered not to deal with these decisions and regard them as if they never happened,'' the decree stated.

In contrast, Hamad told reporters: ''The decison was taken in accordance with the basic law, which gives the interior minister the right to take measures in order to maintain security and public law and order.'' The Palestinian basic law functions as a constitution.

Hamad added: ''We will resolve the differences (with Abbas) with dialogue.'' Abu Samhadana's elevation was seen as an attempt by the Islamic militant group to strengthen its grip on the Interior Ministry, which controls several security agencies, especially after Abbas recently appointed one of his own loyalists, Rashid Abu Shbak, as its director-general.

The row is the latest between Abbas and the new government under Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, who has rejected the president's calls to pursue peace with Israel.

Hamas is sworn to Israel's destruction.

Besides control over the 60,000-strong security forces and other government powers, the two men have argued over who should control crossing points into the Gaza Strip.

The new government took office on March 29 after trouncing Abbas's Fatah faction in parliamentary elections in January.

Under the Palestinian basic law, which functions as a constitution, the president has the power to veto senior government appointments.

Abu Samhadana is leader of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), an umbrella group of militants that has carried out bomb and rocket attacks against Israel since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000. His appointment would help Hamas bypass Shbak.

Abu Samhadana, 43, told Reuters he would not abandon the fight against Israel, which has long sought to kill him.

''I will continue to hold the rifle and will pull the trigger whenever required to defend my people,'' he said.

Abu Samhadana was still in the army's sights despite his appointment in the government, one senior official said.

''We will continue to pursue him,'' said the official, who declined to be identified.

While Abu Samhadana is originally from Fatah, he is Hamas's choice and has close ties to the movement.

ABBAS SEEKING AID Abbas issued the presidential decree before leaving for Muslim and European nations to press for more aid to the Palestinian people and seek support for peace initiatives with Israel.

His trip comes as the new government faces a crisis over cuts in foreign aid and Israeli tax transfers. Hamas says its government is unable to pay wages to 165,000 employees and has warned of economic collapse within months.

Abbas will visit Jordan, Turkey, Norway, Finland and France.

''If the European countries don't want to have contact with the Palestinian government, there are other means to maintain aid directed towards the Palestinian people,'' Abbas said in an interview with French daily Le Monde published today.

The European Union and United States have cut off direct aid to the Palestinian Authority after Hamas refused to recognise Israel's right to exist, renounce violence or accept interim peace deals.

Reuters PG VP0035