SYRIA: Deputy Hamas leader says hopeful new security plan will contain growing lawlessness in Palestinian territories

Record ID: 279851

  • Title: SYRIA: Deputy Hamas leader says hopeful new security plan will contain growing lawlessness in Palestinian territories
  • Date: 1st May 2007
  • Summary: (MER1) DAMASCUS, SYRIA (APRIL 30, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ATTENDING "INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ISLAMIC AND ARABIC MEDIA IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINIAN PEOPLE" MOUSSA ABU MARZOUK, DEPUTY HAMAS LEADER, SEATED AT THE CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOUSSA ABU MARZOUK, DEPUTY HAMAS LEADER, SAYING: "We have to look at it (security plan) as part of the continuation of th
  • Embargoed: 16th May 2007 13:00
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  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA5KFFZIRX00J14H0NHYI6PPLZW
  • Story Text: Damascus-based Moussa Abu Marzouk, the deputy head of the Islamic movement, said he is hopeful a security plan devised by the Palestinian unity government in the Palestinian territories would rein in growing lawlessness.
    Palestinian police and armed groups began implementing the plan, which aims to increase co-operation among competing security forces, on Sunday (April 29), with an increased number of armed security forces being deployed in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
    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.
    "We have to look at it as part of the continuation of the resistance and give out a clear message that the resistance cannot end with any political steps that are misunderstood to deviate from the agenda of the resistance," Abu Marzouk told reporters on the side-lines of the third "International Conference of Islamic and Arabic Media in Support of the Palestinian people" in Damascus.
    The plan aims to prevent rival forces from carrying arms when they were not on duty and the Interior Ministry says it has appointed a general controller who would try to coordinate activities between the different security forces.
    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, but Abu Marzouk was still hopeful it would prove a success.
    "This plan is not like previous plans. It aims at the security of the Palestinian people and their future. Therefore we are with it and will stand up and support it. No doubt there are many obstacles facing this plan. It needs some administrative organisation, however these issues will be solved in the coming days God willing," Abu Marzouk said.
    A senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said earlier this month that lawlessness could only end if there was a political decision by Fatah and Hamas to stop arming and strengthening their forces.
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