JERUSALEM - French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Thursday urged Israel to allow the Palestinian Authority to adequately equip its security forces in order to implement the rule of law.
âThe Palestinian Authority must be given the chance to equip credible security forces,â he told reporters ahead of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.
âHow can we ask terrorist groups to disarm if people responsible for disarming them donât have the means?â Douste-Blazy added.
The Palestinian Authority has complained that it lacks adequate weapons and ammunition to clamp down on powerful armed groups, but Israel has so far refused to allow officials to import more arms.
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But the most powerful Palestinian militias -- Hamasâs Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades and Fatahâs Al-Aqsa Martyrsâ Brigade -- have threatened to fight anyone who tries to take away their weapons. |