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European nations reject Abbas plea on sanctions

PARIS - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ended his European tour Saturday without persuading any country to end crippling economic sanctions based on his power-sharing deal with the rival Islamic militant group Hamas.

The bright spot in his trip was a promise Saturday from French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy to work with a government that includes Hamas and Abbas' more moderate Fatah Party. His comments were more positive than those of other European leaders during Abbas' four-country tour. But Douste-Blazy made no commitments on resuming aid frozen since Hamas won parliamentary elections a year ago.

Europe's governments remained firm: Any new Palestinian government must recognize Israel's right to exist before direct international aid can resume.

"I encouraged Mr. Abbas to persevere in his efforts to quickly form a national unity government," Douste-Blazy said.

If the government is formed according to the power-sharing deal worked out with the Saudi king in the Islamic holy city of Mecca last month, "France will be ready to cooperate with it," Douste-Blazy said. "And our country will plead on its behalf within the European Union and with other partners in the international community."

Abbas, who also traveled to Britain, Germany and Belgium, welcomed the pledge from France. But it was unclear how far France could go in supporting the Palestinians without the backing of the rest of the EU or other members of the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators: the United States, Russia and the United Nations.

Half of the Palestinian Authority's budget came from foreign assistance until much of it was frozen last year over Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace agreements with Israel. The power-sharing deal skirts those demands.

"We hope that the embargo will be lifted," Abbas said after meeting French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday. "If not ... the Palestinian people would continue to suffer and the sanctions would continue to cause damage."

European leaders cautiously welcomed the power-sharing deal, an effort to end clashes between Hamas and Fatah that have left more than 130 dead since May.

But EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Abbas in Brussels that the EU would not make a decision on aid until a new Palestinian government is in office.

The speaker of the Palestinian Parliament, Ahmed Baher, of Hamas, said in Gaza on Saturday that the government would be formed by the first week of March.

Israel has ruled out talks on a final peace deal with Abbas if he goes ahead with the coalition.

4 die in new violence

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip- Four Palestinians, including two supporters of rivals Hamas and Fatah, were killed in a family feud late Friday and early Saturday, threatening the calm that has accompanied a power-sharing deal between the two groups.

Gaza remains volatile because families of some of the victims still seek revenge.

Government spokesman Ghazi Hamad of Hamas said some groups were "trying to revive the internal conflict through acts of aggression."

[Last modified February 25, 2007, 00:52:49]