Palestinian president says civil war is a "red line"

DUBAI, Oct 1 (Reuters) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he was ready to negotiate a unity government with Hamas to avoid the possibility of Palestinian civil war.

''Personally I believe that a civil war is a red line and I will not allow it under any circumstances,'' Abbas said in an interview with the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television aired today.

''I as a president have the right to form or dissolve the government at any time, but I say that we should exert every effort to form a unity government.'' Abbas was commenting on the latest standoff with Hamas over forming a unity coalition that would pave the way for all Palestinian parties including the mainstream Fatah and the ruling Islamist movement Hamas to join.

Palestinians hope a unity government would ease Western sanctions which led to an economic crisis.

''Let us be frank here, the United Stated has imposed a political, economic and social siege on us after Hamas's win,'' said Abbas.

The Hamas-led government has been unable to pay its employees since Western powers halted direct aid to it soon after they won a parliamentary election in January.

At least seven Palestinians were killed in fierce clashes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank earlier on Sunday after rival security forces took to the streets to protest unpaid wages and stalled unity government talks.

The clashes stoked fears of civil war.

Talks broke down after Abbas accused Hamas of reneging on a commitment to accept past peace deals that include the recognition of the Jewish state.

REUTERS SBA PM0109