CAIRO, July 17 (AFP) - Egypt expressed concern Saturday over a wave of abductions in the neighbouring Gaza Strip that raised renewed concerns about the Palestinians' ability to assure order after a promised Israeli pullout and sparked a long-awaited overhaul of the security services.
The kidnappings, none of which lasted longer than 12 hours, "only weaken the Palestinian position and divide ranks at a time when the Palestinians need to display solidarity, unity and common purpose," newly appointed Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told reporters.
The minister called on the Palestinians to "make unity their top priority so that they can prove to the entire world that they are capable of assuming their responsibilities and create a state based on institutions founded on respect for the rule of law."
Egypt has offered to send up to 200 officers to the Gaza Strip to train some 30,000 Palestinian security personnel ahead of Israel's proposed pullout from the territory by the end of next year.
The Palestinian police chief was among the hostages seized in Friday's chaos, along with four French aid workers and a liaison officer with the Israeli army.
The police chief was later relieved of his post, along with the general security commander, as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat slashed the country's security services from eight to three.