Fatah deploys 2,500-strong force in Jenin 'to keep order'

[Behind the Aegis]

Some 2,500 Fatah militants, members of a new security force, deployed yesterday in Jenin as part of the escalating power struggle with Hamas.

Fatah's secretary general in Jenin, Ita Abu Ramila, said the force would help the security services maintain order.

On Thursday in Gaza more than 10,000 security personnel attended the largest demonstration to date against the Hamas government. Waving pictures of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the demonstrators demanded their salaries, then tried to break into the parliament building, fired in the air and hurled stones at the windows.

A similar demonstration took place in Nablus, while in Bethlehem all PA workers and public transportation drivers went on strike.


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