Palestinians approve plan to fight lawlessness

Ramallah (West Bank), Apr 15: The Palestinian unity government said today it had approved a plan to increase co-operation among competing security forces in a bid to rein in growing lawlessness.

Hamas Islamists formed a unity government last month with members of President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction. But tensions remain high and sporadic fighting between followers of the two groups has continued in the Gaza Strip.

''The main goal is to provide protection and security and end lawlessness,'' Information Minister Mustafa al-Barghouthi said.

''According to the plan, security forces will act in a unified manner in carrying out their different duties.'' Fatah dominates the security forces. Hamas has set up its own heavily-armed ''executive force'' and rebuffed calls from Abbas for it to be dismantled or integrated into other services.

The new security plan does not appear to address that dispute.

Barghouthi said the plan aimed to prevent rival forces from carrying arms when they were not on duty.

''This requires a lot of work,'' he said.

Barghouthi said the Interior Ministry had appointed a general controller who would try to coordinate activities between the different security forces.

''There is special emphasis on training of the security forces to end the partisan nature of these forces,'' he said.

Senior Abbas aide Yasser Abed Rabbo said last week lawlessness could only end if there was a political decison by Fatah and Hamas to stop arming and stregthening their forces.

Reuters