Abbas orders fighters to disarm

[oberliner]

The Palestinian president has ordered all armed groups that are not part of government security forces, including those linked to his own Fatah movement, to disarm immediately.

The decree issued by Mahmoud Abbas made no reference to how the ruling would be enforced, particularly in the Gaza Strip which is controlled by the rival Hamas movement.

"All kinds of militias and military groups are banned, no matter to whom they belong," an official in Abbas's office said on Wednesday.

"The government must end the phenomenon of military groups and is required to implement the law that bans carrying any kinds of weapon or explosives."

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/04908709-A29A-45E5-A06D-08CECA3BCC9A.htm

[barb162]

1. Good luck on this one.

[oberliner]

3. It's the thought that counts.

What does the future hold for Abbas I wonder.

[barb162]

4. Well if it's the thought that counts, Abbas has a lot of those.

Abbas will stay put for a while but I think he's getting very tired of his job and the job is over his head.

[barb162]

2. Hamas: Abbas ban on armed militias is 'mere ink on paper'

Last update - 18:28 27/06/2007


Hamas: Abbas ban on armed militias is 'mere ink on paper'

By News Agnecies

Hamas dismissed on Wednesday a presidential decree dissolving armed groups in the Palestinian Authority and said it was "mere ink on paper."
snip
"The government must halt the phenomenon of armed groups, prevent the bearing of arms and confiscate guns, explosives and any type of weaponry purchased illegally, since they endanger the public order," the decree continued.

Fatah spokesman Ahmed Abdel Rahman said Wednesday that Abbas' latest decree was part of the efforts "to tackle the security chaos and scene of rebellion."
snip


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/875772.html

Every militant group has a reason not to give up its arms.