Tensions increase as Fatah gunmen kill party leader

PALESTINIAN gunmen linked to the ruling Fatah movement killed one of their party leaders yesterday, increasing tensions on the eve of parliamentary balloting and raising doubts about a new pledge by armed groups in the West Bank and Gaza to hold their fire during the vote.

Opinion polls have shown Fatah and Hamas in a close race ahead of today's election and both sides have said they might form a coalition government. Candidates were banned from campaigning yesterday for a cooling-off period before the election.

Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas candidate in northern Gaza, said the Islamic group expects to become the largest party in parliament. But it will not try to form a government alone, instead seeking a partnership with Fatah or other parties, he said.

Top Hamas leaders spoke with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas recently to discuss the elections and their aftermath, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Abbas called on all Palestinians to exercise their right to vote.

"The election is a right and duty at the same time, and I hope that the results of this election will reflect honestly the Palestinian people's opinions," he said.

Thousands of Palestinian security personnel, who voted early, fanned out across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to protect polling stations.

More than 1,700 Israeli border police are being deployed to ensure order and the free movement of voters in the Jerusalem area during election day, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said.

Violence has marred the period before the elections, with militants taking over government offices and threatening poll workers. Much of the unrest was carried out by gunmen linked to Fatah, apparently fearing losses to Hamas.

Fatah has also been riven by internal divisions, which turned deadly yesterday.

Fatah gunmen shot dead Abu Ahmed Hassouna, 44, a party leader in Nablus, after he told them to stop shooting at campaign posters on his house, relatives said. It was the second politically motivated killing of the campaign.

About 1,000 people marched to the main police station in Nablus to protest the shooting, giving the police chief a letter demanding an end to lawlessness.

"Enough, enough. We want the police to protect us," they shouted. Dozens of gunmen later blocked a main road and shopkeepers shut down their stores in protest.

In Tulkarem, about 40 militants from Islamic Jihad which is boycotting the vote marched along the West Bank town's main road to demand the release of prisoners from Palestinian jails and to ask residents to boycott the election. Many wore fake explosive belts and carried wooden sticks.

Police, claiming one of the passing protesters shot at their station, opened fire on the group, scattering the masked men. No one was hurt.

The violence cast doubts on the fragmented militant factions' promises to maintain calm on election day.