Abbas Threatens Force to Maintain Truce with Israel

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is reported to have told his security forces to use "an iron fist" to maintain the current cease-fire with Israel.

Palestinian news reports say Mr. Abbas told Palestinian police in the Gaza Strip Wednesday that they must not allow anybody to break the calm.

The reports quoted Mr. Abbas as saying whoever wants to sabotage the truce with rocket fire or shooting must be stopped, by force if necessary.

Last month, Mr. Abbas persuaded armed Palestinian factions waging a more than four year violent uprising against Israel to maintain a de facto truce.

Israel says it will not resume peace talks until Palestinians dismantle the armed factions.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.