Palestinian Interior Minister Hani Kawasmeh AP PHOTO

The resignation of Kawasmeh, a career civil servant, was a setback for the government, which was formed in March by rivals Fatah and Hamas to end months of factional violence.

The sides had picked Kawasmeh as a compromise candidate for running the Interior Ministry, the top security post. His resignation highlights the deep rifts over who controls the security forces. Hamas and Fatah had put off dealing with the explosive issue, and Kawasmeh's resignation and the renewed fighting have made a compromise even more elusive.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 19, 2007
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