Rice calls for end to Palestinian violence

DUBAI, Dec 19 (Reuters) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Palestinians to end violence and look into forming a government that wins international acceptance.

''The violence needs to stop. We hope that there will in fact be a ceasefire between the parties, that is very important,'' Rice said in an interview with Al Arabiya television made available to Reuters today ahead of broadcast.

Violence between Hamas and Fatah forces has raised concern that the Gaza Strip could slip into civil war.

The fighting has escalated since Abbas called on Saturday for early elections to break the deadlock and Hamas accused him of a ''coup'' against its elected government.

''The political crisis also has to be resolved and it needs to be resolved by the Palestinian people getting a government that can be acceptable internationally so that the difficulties that have been there in terms of resources for the Palestinians can be resolved,'' Rice said.

Hamas, which advocates Israel's destruction, has struggled to govern since taking office in March under the weight of Western sanctions imposed because of its refusal to recognise the Jewish state and renounce violence.

''The problem here is that the Hamas government has been unwilling to accept terms that would make it internationally acceptable,'' she said.

Asked if Washington endorses Abbas's call for an early election, Rice said: ''This is something that I think Palestinians will decided, but he is the Palestinian leader elected by his people as president he has the will and the desire and in fact the obligation to help the Palestinian people find a way out of the crisis and so we will support in him as he tries to do that.'' Rice said US President George W. Bush remains committed to the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Reuters SY GC2141