US position on Palestinian police's ability to carry guns

The US said it is "working with the Palestinian Authority and with their security forces to make sure that they have the tools that they need and that they are organized properly to be able to carry out their mission and to be able to provide security to the Palestinian people in Gaza and, certainly and particularly, in light of the upcoming withdrawal."

U.S. Department of State Acting Spokesman, Tom Casey, yesterday added that the issue is up to "General Ward and the experts on that" to decide.