Palestinian minister blames violence on int'l embargo

Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti urged the European Union on Tuesday to recognize the Palestinian unity government and resume direct financial aid payments, blaming the international

embargo for the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank. 

"Our aim is to convince the EU to try to stop this embargo and deal directly with the Palestinian Authority," Barghouti said before meeting with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's external relations commissioner. (AP)