Abbas to cancel Hamas security appointment - aide

[cali]

Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:42 PM GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will cancel a senior security appointment made by the new Hamas-led government this week, a senior aide said on Friday, underscoring internal tensions.

On Thursday, the Hamas government appointed Jamal Abu Samhadana, a radical high on Israel's most wanted list, to supervise the Interior Ministry and set up a new police force from militants to crack down on anarchy and chaos.

The row over Samhadana's appointment threatens to widen Abbas's rift with the Islamic militant group, which has rejected the president's calls to pursue peace with Israel.

Senior Abbas aide Tayeb Abdel-Rahim said the president would send a letter to Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-04-21T124329Z_01_ALL144309_RTRIDST_0_OZATP-MIDEAST-APPOINTMENT-ABBAS-20060421.XML


As the article suggests, the rift between Abbas and Hamas, continues to grow. What happens next? Can Abbas be successful in cancelling the appointment of Samhadana? Or will Abbas ultimately be forced out or quit? It's difficult to imagine Abbas and Hamas leaders developing a productive relationship.

[bemildred]

1. "Hamas to continue to ignore Abbas"

Anyway, that would be my guess. Much will depend on the means Mr. Abbas has to enforce his will, which seems a murky question at present.