GAZA CITY (AFP) - New PLO leader Mahmud Abbas met security chiefs here amid fears of lawlessness in the Palestinian territories following a shootout at which he was present but from which he emerged unscathed.
Abbas, in pole position to win January elections for the succession to Yasser Arafat, met foreign minister Nabil Shaath and social affairs minister Intisar al-Wazir amid heavy guard, before his security talks got under way later.
Officials have denied that Sunday evening's shoot-out in a Gaza City mourning tent, in which two security men were killed, was an assassination attempt, but it has underlined fears that Arafat's death could trigger an upsurge in lawlessness.
Straight after the shooting, Abbas called for the "chaotic" situation to be brought under control. "We must deal with the security situation. Some aspects of the security situation are chaotic," he said.
His foreign minister said some steps were already being taken in the wake of the shootout.
"Since yesterday we have been meeting to try and get out our house in order and preempt any such occurrence in the future," said Shaath.
"Some measures have already been taken and no armed men will be allowed in any public meeting place."
The shooting was condemned by Hamas and fellow Palestinian militant groups Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, whose leaders were all scheduled to meet Abbas on Monday.
But in Israel, media said army chief of staff General Moshe Yaalon had warned ministers Sunday that the militants were likely to increase their attacks in a bid to torpedo efforts made by Abbas to secure a ceasefire.
There have been fears for weeks that Arafat's passing could unleash a wave of violence, especially in the Gaza Strip -- the scene of several deadly clashes between security services and armed factions in recent months.
Abbas's Gaza talks, to take in the main 13 Palestinian factions in the afternoon, follow a series of political meetings in the West Bank designed to ensure a smooth transition of power.
Sources within the mainstream Fatah faction have said Abbas will be their candidate for the January 9 Palestinian Authority leadership election, although there has been no official confirmation.
But 69-year-old Abbas, who was appointed head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation immediately after Arafat's death, lacks broad popular support, although he is favoured in Israel and the United States.
He resigned 14 months ago as prime minister when Arafat refused to grant him greater control of the sprawling Palestinian security apparatus, but also failed last year to persuade Hamas to implement a disarmament programme.
Looking ahead to the election, negotiations minister Saeb Erakat said it would be a crucial step in avoiding all-out anarchy.
"If we don't have elections, violence and anarchy will begin again... If we are able to hold elections in 60 days, we can begin a process to restore law and public order," he told Israeli television.
"We have to be worried. I believe what happened yesterday is shameful," he added, a day after calling on US President George W. Bush to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the Palestinians in order to make the election work.
"When there is a responsible and legitimate, elected Palestinian leadership equipped as a partner, Israel will be ready for dialogue, provided that this leadership fights terrorism," Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said.
Although both Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon boycotted Arafat, both men played host to Abbas during negotiations last year.
The peace process has made next to no progress since Abbas quit as prime minister in September 2003 after Arafat refused to grant him greater control of the sprawling Palestinian security apparatus.
On the ground, Israeli troops withdrew from northern West Bank town of Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp, where they had been entrenched for more than two weeks, an army spokesman said.
He said 25 Palestinians were arrested, including two local Islamic Jihad leaders and two Fatah-linked chiefs, while four suspected militants were killed during the operation, which began October 28.
Palestinian sources said nine people were killed and 40 arrested.

11/15/2004 - 11:08 GMT - AFP