Mahmoud Abbas, newly-named chief of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, denied the shootout in Arafat's mourning tent in Gaza on Sunday was aimed at him.

"What happened in the mourning tent does not have any personal or political meaning," Abbas told al-Jazeera TV.

He said it was a haphazard shooting caused by the outburst of emotions for late leader Yasser Arafat.

According to witnesses, the clashes erupted shortly after Abbas entered the tent Sunday afternoon to pay condolences.

A huge procession headed by dozens of militants approached the mourning tent, chanting slogans against Abbas and in support for Arafat.

A fire exchange erupted when Abbas' bodyguards interfered to stop the militants.

Two Palestinian security officers were killed in the armed clashes and four others were injured.

Abbas denies being candidate for presidential elections

Mahmoud Abbas, newly-named chief of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), on Sunday denied he was chosen to be Fatah candidate to run for the presidential elections due on Jan. 9.

"It is still premature," Abbas told reporters. "The question would be discuss by Fatah movement's revolutionary council."

He said the Fatah central committee and its revolutionary council were the two bodies to make the decision.

Abbas, 69, was chosen to chair the PLO on Thursday after the passing away of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at a French hospital.