Xinhua - English

GAZA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday night called on Fatah and rival Hamas as well as Hamas-led security forces to end fighting in the Gaza Strip immediately, and get back to their former positions.

Abbas' appeal was made in a televised speech broadcasted by the Palestinian Television channel directed to the Palestinian people after day-long fighting in Gaza Strip that left nine persons killed and 80 others wounded.

"I renew my calls to the security apparatuses members to end their protests and demonstrations, and get back to their work," Abbas said, adding that "I call on the auxiliary force to pull out from the streets and get back to their posts."

Palestinian medics confirmed that nine Palestinians were killed in the confrontation on Sunday, most of them were police and security officers in Gaza Strip.

Fierce clashes erupted early Sunday among security members loyal to Abbas and his Fatah movement, as well as militants in the Hamas-led interior ministry auxiliary force.

Interior ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal had stated earlier that the aim of deploying the auxiliary force was to stop security officers from demonstrating and violating law and order.

"My post as the president of the Palestinian people enables me to bring everyone who was behind the troubles and riots to law. I already instructed the attorney general to investigate the sorrowful bloody incidents," said Abbas.

He added that "democratic protests and demonstrations can never be confronted by gunfire, and protests also can never mean to break into official government buildings and set fire inside them."

"What happened in Gaza today had violated the culture of peaceful dialogue and the right of disagreement and protests devoted by our people and their long national procession," said Abbas.

Abbas is due to arrive in Ramallah on Monday, where he is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Ricewho is to visit there this week in the Middle East region and will meet with Arab, Palestinian and Israeli leaders. Enditem

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