GAZA (Reuters) – Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in a presidential campaign speech Monday he would never take up arms against militant groups whose dismantlement is part of a U.S.-sponsored peace “road map.”

“They are freedom fighters … and should live a dignified and safe life,” said Abbas, whose call for an end to violence in a 4-year-old Palestinian uprising has been rejected by militants whose support he is courting in the Jan. 9 election.

Abbas, front-runner in the race to succeed Yasser Arafat, said he was determined to ensure only one authority was in charge of the Palestinian territories, a message to armed groups that attack Israel and have rejected his cease-fire appeals.

But he said he would achieve that goal through “dialogue and discussion” as he pursued national unity.

“Palestinians taking up arms against each other will not happen,” Abbas pledged.
Full Article: nytimes.com/reuters

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