MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh yesterday urged President Mahmoud Abbas to resume talks on forming a national unity coalition after Mr Abbas threatened to dissolve the Hamas-led government.
Mr Haniyeh is embroiled in an increasingly bitter power struggle with Mr Abbas, fuelled by their failure to agree a unity coalition that Palestinians hope will lift western sanctions.
Clashes earlier this week between Hamas and forces loyal to Mr Abbas's Fatah movement triggered fears of civil war.
"Mr President, come to Gaza. Come to Gaza to resume dialogue . . . and announce a unity government," Mr Haniyeh said in an impassioned speech to tens of thousands of Hamas supporters inside the Gaza's Strip's largest stadium. But Mr Haniyeh vowed no government in which the militant Hamas movement served would recognise Israel, a stance that is a non-starter for Mr Abbas and western nations.
At one stage Mr Haniyeh appeared to faint as aides rushed to help him into a chair. He is, like many Muslims, fasting for the holy month of Ramadan. He later resumed his speech.
"I urge the leadership of Fatah and Hamas to hold an urgent meeting, tonight, in my presence, to put an end to the internal strife. we will not recognise Israel," Mr Haniyeh said.
Showing increasing impatience, Mr Abbas on Wednesday said he might sack the government over its refusal to agree a platform for a coalition that would take a softer line on Israel. Mr Abbas also said unity talks were dead. Fatah argues that Mr Abbas has the right to call early parliamentary elections under law, while Hamas disputes this.
In Gaza, the crowd waved green Hamas flags and yelled their support for the group's refusal to recognise Israel.
Mr Haniyeh also accused members of rival security forces of "a form of a mutiny against the government" for taking part in street protests over unpaid wages.
The aid embargo has left the government unable to pay full salaries, adding to tensions that spilled over into violence last week. At least 15 people have been killed since Sunday in the worst internal bloodshed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in a decade.