Haniyeh says may increase Hamas security force

GAZA, May 19 (Reuters) Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vowed today not to disband a new Hamas-led security force and said he was prepared to increase its size in defiance of President Mahmoud Abbas.

''We do not intend to make one step backward. The force will stay and will be intergrated into the police force. Their task is to protect internal security and if there will be a need to increase its number, we will do it,'' Haniyeh told worshippers at a mosque in Gaza City.

Reuters SHB BST1706