Competing security forces face off in Gaza

Security forces loyal to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a new militia run by the Hamas-led government paraded through the streets with assault rifles and stared each other down today, competing for control of the Gaza Strip.

Abbas ordered the Islamic militants to remove the militia from the streets, but Hamas refused. Officials in Abbas’ office said he would not use force, fearing a civil war – but his restraint made him look weak and increasingly unable to keep the militants in check.