PA: Islamic Jihad committed to calm

The Palestinian leader met with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, senior officials, Palestinian faction members and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman.

Qureia's announcement comes one day after Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a terror attack at the central bus station in Be'er Sheva, in which two guards sustained serious injuries.

During the meeting Suleiman and the PA officials also discussed the disagreement between Israel and the Palestinians regarding the border crossings; Qureia said some progress has been made on this issue.

PA Minister Nabil Shaath said the Palestinians and the Egyptians have reached an agreement on the reopening of the airport in Gaza.

Hamas issues warning

Suleiman is expected to meet with EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, who arrived in Gaza Monday after visiting Israel. Solana will apparently pass on to Suleiman and the Palestinians a message according to which Israel will not tolerate terror attacks.

Qureia said that both the Palestinians and Egyptians have expressed their concern regarding the continued construction of the West Bank security fence and the expansion of settlements, particularly in the Jerusalem area, adding that the PA would not accept a separate Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank.

The border crossings must be under Palestinian control, he said.

Palestinian sources told Ynet that Egypt wants the Palestinian political arena remain calm, as the completion of Israel’s disengagement and the handing over of settlements nears.

They said the Egyptians also request political stability amid the upcoming local and general Palestinian Authority elections, which are expected to tense due to the stiff competition between Fatah and Hamas.

Prior to the meeting Hamas issued a warning whereby the Israeli pullout will not be considered a full withdrawal unless all the Palestinian prisoners who are residents of Gaza are released.