Last update - 00:00 22/06/2007
Abbas signals he may shut down private Hamas-affiliated groups
By The Associated Press
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Friday authorized a review of all private organizations in the Palestinian areas, signaling he may shut down Hamas-affiliated groups to counter the Islamic movement after it took over the Gaza Strip.
But deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas warned Friday that his movement could not be ignored.
Abbas on Friday issued a presidential decree asking the interior minister to review the legal status of all non-governmental organizations, or NGOs. It also gave these groups a week to reregister.
The step could be a sign Abbas intends to clamp down on Hamas' broad network of social and welfare organizations in the West Bank.
In a sign of the uncertainty in the West Bank, three gunmen abducted a senior Hamas official, former Justice Minister Ahmed Khaldi in Nablus on Friday, Palestinian security said. The unknown gunmen released Khaldi shortly afterward. Palestinian security said it was investigating the kidnapping.
In Gaza City on Friday, Haniyeh said Fatah would not be able to exclude Hamas when determining the future of the Palestinian people.
"There is a big force that nobody can wipe out," Haniyeh said in his weekly Friday sermon, referring to Hamas.
Also Friday, top Fatah security commander Rashid Abu Shbak was dismissed over his failure to prevent Hamas' takeover of Gaza, Palestinian officials said on condition of anonymity since they were not authorized to talk to the media.