De Soto concerned at internal Palestinian escalation
Palestine-UN, Politics, 1/27/2007

The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Alvaro de Soto, expressed Saturday deep concern at the escalating factional violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza.

In a press release, the UN official also said he is concerned at reports that national dialogue is being suspended.

He called on all parties to cease clashes and comply with international humanitarian law by refraining from acts which endanger civilians, encourages the resumption, without delay, of intra-Palestinian dialogue with a view to the early realization of agreement on a national unity government with a realistic and positive platform regarding the basic principles of the peace process.

"Such a step would be in the vital interests of the Palestinian people, at a time when there appears to be a genuine prospect of re-launching a political process that focuses on defining the contours of a future independent Palestinian State and how to achieve it," he concluded.

The Washington Post reported today that Hamas and Fatah gunmen "battled in Gaza City for a third straight day Saturday, firing mortars and grenades in clashes that killed seven people" adding "The deaths brought to 25 the number of Palestinians killed since late Thursday, with at least 68 people wounded."

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  Palestinians protest Abbas' election call   (12/16/2006)
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  UN General Assembly urges Israel to stop aggression on Gaza   (11/18/2006)
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