Home>News Center>World
         
 

Gunmen storm Palestinian parliament
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-29 09:39

Firing into the air, Fatah gunmen and police stormed Palestinian parliament buildings on Saturday in growing unrest after their long-dominant party's crushing election defeat by Hamas Islamists.


A Fatah militant fires into the air in front of the Palestinian parliament building in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 28, 2006. Firing into the air, Fatah gunmen stormed Palestinian parliament buildings on Saturday and demanded the party leadership resign following a crushing election defeat by Hamas. [Reuters]

Hamas leaders meanwhile rejected as "blackmail" Western demands that it renounce violence against Israel or risk losing aid vital to the survival of the Palestinian Authority. Hopes of peacemaking with Israel have been pushed further into limbo.

Turmoil since the parliamentary election landslide has fueled fears of inter-Palestinian strife as Hamas tries to form a government and possibly take over security forces packed with Fatah loyalists at odds with the Islamic militants.

Thousands of gunmen from President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah held protests across the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, many firing automatic rifles into the air.

They took over parliament in the West Bank city of Ramallah for about 20 minutes, shouting demands from the roof before descending peacefully. Fatah militants and police also seized the parliament building in the Gaza Strip.

The gunmen demanded Fatah leaders resign. They also aimed to dissuade the party from any idea of sharing power with Hamas or letting it control security forces -- after Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal said it planned to form "an army."

"We will transform the army of the Palestinian Authority into armed militias. We are not waiting for Hamas to teach us their Islamic beliefs. We know the Koran by heart," said Fatah gunman Ramzi Obeid.

In Gaza, where eight people were hurt on Friday in clashes between Fatah and Hamas activists, the gunmen were joined in their protest by police opposed to any Hamas control over them.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz repeated Israel's vow not to negotiate with Hamas and to strike at its leaders if the group, which has waged a suicide bombing campaign against the Jewish state, broke a February truce.
Page: 12



US, Mexican police find largest ever border drug tunnel
Most Earth-like planet found
Japan's rocket blasts off with land-observation satellite
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Researcher: pollution limits sunshine in big cities

 

   
 

US urge Japan to halt nuclear fuel plan

 

   
 

Leaders spend New Year's Eve with farmers

 

   
 

At least 20 killed in Poland roof collapse

 

   
 

Names of panda couple for Taiwan unveiled

 

   
 

Iran to use missiles if attacked: Official

 

   
  Gunmen storm Palestinian parliament
   
  Iran to use missiles if attacked: Official
   
  At least 20 killed in Poland roof collapse
   
  Fatah activists protest party corruption
   
  US urge Japan to halt nuclear fuel plan
   
  US Agriculture Department proposes poultry imports from China
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement