UN bid gives Abbas stronger hand

GAZA CITY - President Mahmoud Abbas' surge of popularity following his bid for UN recognition for a Palestinian state is bound to give him a stronger hand against the rival Hamas group as they prepare to resume talks on a stalled power-sharing deal next week.

The Islamic militant rulers of Gaza have dismissed Abbas' recognition quest as futile. Still, they appear unnerved by his new image as a tough leader standing up to the US, suppressing shows of support for him. In one Gaza City cafe, Hamas security agents switched off a TV showing Abbas' speech to the UN General Assembly and detained the owner.

Despite such tensions, the recent developments may mean future common ground.