Israeli PM approves arms transfer to Palestinians

The light weapons, from Jordan, are to enable Mahmud Abbas 'to cope with Hamas.'

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday he has given a green light to a transfer of weapons to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas's personal security force so it can tackle Hamas.

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The light weapons, from Jordan, are to enable Mahmud Abbas "to cope with Hamas," the hardline Islamist group that leads the Palestinian government, Olmert said at the British parliament in London.

His announcement followed a decision in principle by the Israeli authorities, revealed on May 25, to authorise the supply of light weapons to Abbas's 3,000-strong presidential guard, known as Force 17.