PLO calls for end to militant violence

The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) has made its strongest appeal for militants to stop attacks…

The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) has made its strongest appeal for militants to stop attacks on Israel.

The committee said it "demanded halting all military acts that harm our national interests and provide excuses to Israel , which wishes to obstruct Palestinian stability."

The PLO did not say what action, if any, might be taken against militants who disobey.

Israel cut ties with the Palestinians after militants killed six Israelis last Thursday in an attack on a Gaza crossing point, denting hopes for new Middle East peace talks after the election of Abbas, who advocates non-violence.

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Militants, even from Abbas's own Fatah movement, have defied his calls for a ceasefire so that peace talks can resume.

Abbas, who was sworn in as president yesterday, also heads the PLO. The organisation includes most Palestinian groups except for Islamists who oppose any peace deal with Israel and are sworn to destroy it.