[Jerusalem Post] Khaled Abu Toameh - The release of BBC reporter Alan Johnston is undoubtedly a severe blow to the credibility of Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah, who have yet to explain why they had failed where Hamas succeeded. Many powerful clans have handed over their weapons to Hamas and Palestinian journalists say they no longer see armed gangs on the streets. By contrast, Abbas' decision to outlaw armed militias in the West Bank has fallen on deaf ears as many Fatah gunmen continue to patrol the streets and to intimidate the public.
2007-07-05 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive