Palestinian PM urges end to internal violence

GAZA, Jan 13 (Reuters) Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas today urged an end to internal violence and called for more effort to form a unity government.

At least 30 Palestinians have been killed in factional fighting since President Mahmoud Abbas of the rival Fatah movement called last month for early elections to try to break a political deadlock with Hamas over creating a unity cabinet.

''I call on the Palestinian people and factions, in particular Hamas and Fatah, to halt internal clashes,'' Haniyeh said in a speech broadcast live on television.

''We must protect national unity and work to form a national unity government,'' said Haniyeh, speaking after days of large rallies by both factions that have sharply raised tensions.

The Hamas Islamists took control of the government in March after beating the once dominant Fatah in parliamentary polls.

But Hamas has struggled to govern under the weight of Western sanctions, which has included an aid embargo, that were imposed because of its refusal to renounce violence and recognise Israel's right to exist.

Hamas spokesman Ismail Rudwan said the militant group would heed Haniyeh's call, urging its members ''to show patience and to show self-restraint''.

UNITY TALKS Hamas's exiled leader Khaled Meshaal said on Wednesday that Fatah and Hamas were in fresh talks on a unity government, but added the Islamists would insist Haniyeh keep his post. Haniyeh had earlier agreed to step aside as part of a unity deal.

A senior Fatah official said Abbas ''doesn't care who the prime minister is'' but wanted a government that had a political platform that would help lift the embargo.

''Any vague wording or conditions will not enable the government to lift the sanctions, and might not put Abbas off the idea of holding early elections,'' the official said.

In a sign that tensions between the groups might be subsiding, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian worker's union said it had ended a four-month strike over unpaid government wages.

Abbas has left open the door to a unity government being formed, although many analysts believe the differences between Fatah and Hamas, especially over Israel, are too wide.

The president, a moderate, seeks a Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel. Hamas's charter calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

Haniyeh said a Palestinian civil war must be prevented.

''Clashes must stop completely and forever. Gunfire must never be directed against Palestinians. The rifle must only be raised against the occupation,'' Haniyeh said, referring to Israel.

Efforts to form a new government last year failed after talks broke down over the new administration's stance towards Israel and its composition.

Abbas's chief of staff, Rafiq Husseini, said earlier this week the president would allow two weeks for renewed dialogue on a national unity government.

The president has set no date for holding early parliamentary and presidential elections.

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