GAZA CITY - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas merged Wednesday a Hamas-controlled force blamed for instigating recent clashes with the standing police forces, an interior minister spokesman said.
"President Abbas has agreed to give executive and financial support to this security force and asked the finance minister to take the necessary administrative and financial steps to give employment to the first batch numbering 3,432 people," Khaled Abu Hilal told a press conference.
The controversial Hamas-dominated force was established to counter the control of Abbas's Fatah movement over the Palestinian security services, but has been blamed for much of the factional infighting in recent weeks.
The decision comes after the first full day of a week long inter-faction dialogue meant to restore calm amid escalating violence and fears of civil war.
06/14/2006 16:33 GMT