Palestinian security forces protest overdue wages

GAZA, June 1 (Reuters) Thousands of Palestinian security men fired off automatic rifles and smashed windows at parliament in Gaza today in one of the biggest protests over unpaid wages since the Hamas government took office.

Protesters criticised a plan by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, who is also a senior leader of the Hamas Islamic militant group, to make partial salary payments to the lowest paid workers in the Palestinian Authority in the next few days.

''We want to know when this tragedy will stop,'' one security official shouted through a loudspeaker outside the parliament building in central Gaza City.

Most of the protesters were from forces loyal to the Fatah movement of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas. They dispersed after around three hours.

The government has been unable to pay salaries for three months to 165,000 government workers after the United States and other Western countries imposed sanctions over Hamas's refusal to recognise Israel, disarm and accept interim peace accords.

The embargo has deepened a humanitarian crisis in the occupied West Bank and the impoverished Gaza Strip.

Some protesters climbed onto the roof of parliament in Gaza and smashed several windows.

Haniyeh pledged on Tuesday to pay a full month's wages in a few days to 40,000 workers whose monthly salaries were less than 1,500 shekels (332 dollars).

He also promised to pay each of the other 125,000 government workers, who earn higher salaries, an advance of 1,500 shekels. The finance minister later said it was unclear when workers who earn more would get their money.

''The 1,500 shekels are not enough to pay debts, buy milk and diapers,'' said one banner stuck to the gate of parliament.

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