GAZA, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The Palestinian Hamas-led government criticized President George W. Bush's decision to provide financial aid to President Mahmoud Abbas' security services.
The government said in a statement Wednesday it regards the decision as an attempt to ignite and fuel a Palestinian civil war amid tension and fighting between rival Fatah and Hamas factions.
News reports said the Bush administration has decided to provide $86 million to the Palestinian Authority to support security services loyal to Abbas of Fatah, some of which have been involved in armed battles with the Hamas-held Interior Ministry forces in recent months during a bitter power struggle.
The Palestinian government said this measure constitutes a "blatant interference in internal Palestinian affairs aimed at consolidating the internal division and struggle that would ultimately lead to weakening the internal front."
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan said in a statement in Gaza an American support of Abbas' security services is aimed at escalating the existing tension to lead to a civil war.
He said whenever the U.S. administration sees the Palestinian factions on the verge of an agreement, it provides military support "here and there, or declares financial aid ... because it does not want to see an accord or a national unity government."
Nationalist Fatah and Islamic Hamas, which took power following its sweeping victory in the January 2006 elections, have been negotiating a new national unity government that would end crippling Western sanctions.
The West refuses to release aid to the Palestinians until Hamas recognizes Israel, previous agreements and renounces violence.
