RAFAH, Jan. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestine Liberation Organizationchief Mahmoud Abbas kicked off his first visit to the southern GazaStrip town of Rafah on Saturday as part of his election campaign.   Abbas was received by thousands of Palestinians in the city,which has witnessed Israeli incursions and destruction of housesover the past four years.

   Abbas' visit was postponed for two hours after the Israeli armytightened security measures imposed on central and southern GazaStrip, mainly Deir El Ballah in central Gaza Strip, Khan Yunis andRafah in the south.

   Outside the building of Rafah conference center, thousands ofpeople waited for Abbas and chanted, "We sacrifice our souls andblood for Abu Mazen (Abbas)" as he stepped into the center. Abbasreplied, "We seek a good and safe life for our people."   "We want a good life for our people. We want a safe life for ourpeople. We want a state of law for the sake of every Palestinianand to be respected by every Palestinian," Abbas told the mass.   "We will never forget prisoners and we will never forget refugees who have been living away from their homes over the last50 years," Abbas said.

   He said that he lit a torch in Gaza on Friday to mark the 40thanniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement, adding "this revolution would continue till a young Palestinian childraises the Palestinian flag on fences of Jerusalem."   The Israeli Ha'aretz daily reported on its website that Abbaspaid tribute to Palestinians killed in fight with Israel, withgunmen shooting to the air, in a large rally to mark the Fatah's40th anniversary.

   A spokesman for Abbas said that Abbas needs the support of thePalestinian street for a sweeping victory in the election that willenable him to negotiate with Israel in the future.      Abbas, thecandidate of the Fatah movement, is widely believed to be thewinner of the election due on Jan. 9.  Enditem