Last update - 00:00 14/04/2007
PA information minister: Palestinian cabinet approves new security plan
By The Associated Press
The Palestinian cabinet Saturday approved a new security plan that is to include a joint operations center for rival security forces, Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti said.
The plan is to be the centerpiece of cooperation between the Islamic militant Hamas and the moderate Fatah, which together make up the unity government formed earlier this year. Details of the plan remained sketchy, however, particularly on whether Hamas' militia, formed last year, would be dissolved.
The formation of the militia, known as the Executive Force, had raised Hamas-Fatah tensions and helped trigger months of deadly infighting which the coalition government, based on a power-sharing deal brokered by Saudi Arabia, sought to end.
But the most explosive issue - control over the security forces - was not resolved in coalition talks, and it remains unclear whether the security plan is specific enough to end the rivalries for good.
Barghouti said Saturday that a joint operations center would be set up for all the security forces.
Also, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is to announce the formation of a new National Security Council in two days, Barghouti said.
The panel will include Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, Abbas' security adviser and Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan and three independents in the key posts of foreign, finance and interior.
Barghouti said one of the major aims of the plan is to control weapons and prevent gunmen from flaunting them in the streets.