RAMALLAH, 26 April 2005 — In an attempt to stamp his authority, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ordered new security chiefs yesterday to halt growing chaos two days after he pushed aside top officers in the old guard, officials said.
The security shake-up brought Abbas closer to meeting Israeli and US demands for reforming security forces, also criticized by ordinary Palestinians for failing to maintain law and order.
“I cannot say that we have accomplished safety, security and reform for our people so far. But we have begun an important process,” Abbas told reporters before meeting the chiefs in the Gaza Strip.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tawfik Abu Khoussa said Abbas asked the new heads of police, national security and military intelligence to restructure their forces and halt growing chaos in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Abbas forced out hundreds of security men on Saturday under a new law requiring security personnel to retire at 60.
Reforms of Palestinian security forces are widely seen as crucial to peacemaking hopes that have been lifted since Abbas replaced the late Arafat in January and went on to agree a cease-fire with Israel.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian motorist ran over and killed an Israeli close to the West Bank town of Hebron before being seriously wounded by army gunfire yesterday, Israeli medical sources said.
The sources said the incident took place at an army checkpoint but did not specify if the Israeli was a soldier or civilian, while the military declined any immediate comment.
The Palestinian was taken to hospital in Hebron.
— With input from agencies
