Palestinian PM hands over interior security to unity gov't

GAZA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Thursday officially announced the handover of the interior security to the unity government.

The prime minister held his first meeting with the chiefs of security bodies in Gaza Strip, during which he ensured that all documents related to the security sector would be "dealt with systematically and gradually."

Hamdallah reiterated the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' description of the national reconciliation as "an irreversible strategic option," stressing that the government would take all necessary measures to achieve national unity on the ground.

Eyad al-Bozzom, spokesman of Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza, said in an emailed statement that "the atmosphere of the meeting is very positive and constructive."

Hamdallah arrived in Gaza on Thursday morning to discuss with Hamas the handover of interior security of the Gaza Strip to his government.

On Oct. 12, Hamas and Abbas' Fatah party signed an agreement in Cairo, where part of it was implemented, which is related to the handover of all ministries and crossing points to the consensus government.

However, the government had complained that the security was still in the hands of Hamas, where disputes and arguments between the two rival groups went up to the surface. Enditem