Smoke rises during a protest by Palestinian militants in Ramallah, Oct. 1, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Oct. 2 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has urged Palestinians to cool their tempers. His comments came after fighting between Hamas militia and Fatah gunmen left nine people killed and 80 others wounded on Sunday.

    It was the worst day of internal violence since the Hamas group took power.

    Hamas militia fought running gunbattles with Fatah gunmen throughout Gaza Strip.

    The day-long fighting left nine persons dead, including three civilians.

    Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas urged Palestinians, to cool their tempers.

    Ismail Haniyeh said: "I call on all citizens to be responsible and to rise above disagreements, especially in the face of a serious escalation from the occupying forces who are threatening to expand their aggression in Gaza. I call for an end to incitement and call for national unity to be preserved and the institutions of the people to be protected."

    Meanwhile, President Mahmoud Abbas called on Fatah and rival Hamas, as well as Hamas-led security forces, to end fighting in the Gaza Strip immediately. And return to their former positions.

    Fierce clashes erupted early on Sunday after Hamas militiamen used guns to break up police and civil servant protests in Gaza... triggered by unpaid government salaries.

    This sparked fierce gunbattles between the militiamen and security personnel loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas.

    Later, supporters of Fatah set the building of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Gaza ablaze. They also rampaged through Prime Minister Haniyeh's office building in Ramallah.

(Source: CCTV.com)