Arab governments give Abbas vote of confidence

By Jonathan Wright

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab governments gave Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a vote of confidence on Saturday and called for a return to the situation before the Islamist movement Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip.

However, after a six-hour meeting in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers also expressed support for the Palestinian parliament which is dominated by Hamas.

"We are supporting President Abbas and we are supporting the elected Legislative Assembly (parliament)," Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa told a news conference.

A joint statement from the 22 Arab League members condemned what it called "the criminal acts recently committed in Gaza".

Hamas imposed itself in Gaza on Friday after six days of battles against Fatah forces. Despite his mandate effectively being reduced to the West Bank, Abbas named a new prime minister after firing the Hamas-led government and declaring a state of emergency.

"(The Arab ministers) asked for a return of the situation in Gaza to what it was before the recent events, the prevention of any acts of violence in the West Bank and the preservation of the unity of Palestinian territory," it said.

Moussa backed the idea of a new government made up of people independent of the factions. "That would give a chance for understanding in the context of national unity," he said.

Three months ago Hamas brought Fatah members into a "unity" government in an attempt to staunch violence in Gaza.