US "encouraged" by Abbas move to control violence in Gaza

The United States said on Friday that it is encouraged by the move of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to gain control on the security situation in the Gaza area.

"We are encouraged by the steps that President Abbas has taken to gain control of the security situation in Gaza," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said at a press conference.

"We have always stressed how important it is for the Palestinians to organize themselves to end the violence, and we welcome steps that are being taken in that direction. I would say we are also pleased with the coordination that is going on between Israeli and Palestinian officials," Boucher said.

The United States has made it clear to the Palestinians that it will assist them in rebuilding their security forces and taking concrete action to stress that violence will not be tolerated, the spokesman said.

Palestinian official sources said on Friday that Abbas has ordered security apparatuses to deploy in the Gaza Strip, which serves as a frequent launch pad for militant rocket attacks targeting Israeli targets.

A special intervention force, consisting of 500-700 officers from the security forces, will also be formed in preparation for a possible large-scale Israeli operation in the northern Gaza Strip.

Abbas has said that the decision came as part of efforts to address the internal Palestinian affairs for the sake of the Palestinian people and denied that it came under the pressure of Israel.

Source: Xinhua