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Parliamentary polls in January

Atul Aneja

Abbas calls for restraint during Israeli pullout

MANAMA: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has announced parliamentary elections for January and urged his people to exercise restraint during the pullout of Israeli settlers from Gaza.

In an address to the Palestinian Parliament, Mr. Abbas did not specify any dates for the elections, which were earlier scheduled for July.

The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, which exercises considerable popularity, especially in Gaza, criticised the delay, but said it would participate in the polls.

Mr. Abbas said the Palestinians during the Israeli withdrawal should show exemplary behaviour to convey to the international community that they deserved an independent state. He especially urged armed groups in the Gaza Strip to stop firing rockets on Israel.

"This must stop so that we can focus on security and economy."

Analysts point out that Palestinian violence during the withdrawal, which begins later this month, would strengthen powerful Israeli groups that oppose the pullout plan scripted by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Mr. Abbas also called upon the armed groups to honour an existing ceasefire with Israel, adding that no group could violate this understanding unilaterally.

"If we feel this truce is no longer active.... we will agree on that and take a decision. But no one can take this decision alone and say they are defending the Palestinian people."

Apprehension

Mr. Abbas also warned that Palestinians must refrain from seizing property left behind by Israelis. Palestinians, he counselled, should avoid excessive celebrations to mark the pullout.

In an unprecedented move, Israel is due to remove 8000 settlers from Gaza and several hundred citizens living in four northern West Bank colonies from August 17.

Mr. Abbas, however, expressed his apprehension that the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza may not be followed up by a pullout from the larger settlement blocs in the West Bank.

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