Abbas tries to halt attacks

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, under growing pressure to rein in militants, ordered his security forces Monday to prevent attacks on Israel and investigate a deadly shooting of Israeli civilians last week.

But Palestinian security officials were short on details about possible actions against armed groups, and a spokesman for Hamas said his extremist group would continue attacks.

The order by Abbas, approved by his Cabinet, was the Palestinian leadership’s first step against militants since six Israelis were slain Thursday at the Karni crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

While Israel’s government cautiously welcomed the announcement, it remained unclear how far Abbas was willing to go. He has insisted he will use persuasion, not force, to get militants to halt violence.

Palestinian ministers said Abbas planned to travel to Gaza today, a day earlier than initially planned, for talks with two militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Abbas’ victory in the Jan. 9 election for president of the Palestinian Authority raised hopes for a breakthrough in Mideast peacemaking because he has been an outspoken critic of violence and is eager to resume negotiations with Israel.

But the Karni attack, two days before Abbas was sworn in, swept away Israeli goodwill, and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suspended contacts with Abbas.

Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Abbas in a phone call Sunday to rein in the armed groups, Palestinian and U.S. officials said. Powell “emphasized the critical need to take action to stop Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets.”

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed regret Monday at the suspension of contacts.

Israel wants Abbas to overhaul the Palestinians’ numerous security agencies and put them under a central authority, accusing the security forces of permitting violence and even collaborating with attackers.