MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian leader Mr Mahmoud Abbas has ordered his security forces to use an "iron fist" against militants who violate a three-month period of calm with Israel, in what constitutes his sternest warning yet to armed groups.
"Whoever wants to sabotage [ the calm] with rocket fire or shooting must be stopped by us, even if that requires using force," Mr Abbas said in a speech to Palestinian policemen. "There is a national consensus regarding the calm and whoever leaves this consensus will be struck by an iron fist."
There has been a dramatic decline in violence since Mr Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon agreed to a cessation of hostilities in early February. But, in recent weeks, there has been an increase in the firing of makeshift rockets and mortars by Palestinian militants at the Gaza Strip.
The comments by the Palestinian leader suggested a departure - in words for now - from the policy he has followed: despite US and Israeli pressure to move against armed groups, Mr Abbas has insisted on engaging them in dialogue rather than using force. So far, most of the militant groups have largely observed the truce.
Mr Abbas also told his security forces that they had to ensure the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, scheduled for the summer, was not conducted under fire by militant groups who want to show that they are forcing the Israeli army out of Gaza. "We have to give them a calm departure," he said.
In Jerusalem, meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin, who is making the first visit by a Russian head of state to Israel, yesterday defended his country's decision to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. Mr Putin met Mr Sharon and the two leaders agreed to step up shared intelligence co-operation.