Beckett urges end to Gaza fighting

Politicians from around the world have expressed fears that the fighting could spread to the West Bank and plunge the Palestinian territories further into crisis.

Mrs Beckett described Thursday's move by President Mahmoud Abbas to disband the Hamas-led coalition government and declare a state of emergency as a "matter for regret".

The decision to end the National Unity government, which will leave Mr Abbas ruling by presidential decree, was immediately condemned by Hamas who have been locked in deadly clashes with rival faction Fatah. Mr Abbas' aides insisted he would call elections as soon as possible in a bid to end the violence.

Hamas forces have overrun much of Gaza over the past week. They claim to have "liberated" the city from Fatah.

The European Commission has suspended tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid projects in the Gaza Strip because of the escalating violence, a day after the UN announced it would scale back its relief projects there.

The deepening crisis has led the White House to reconsider tentative plans for US President George Bush to give a major speech later this month on his hopes for Middle East peace. On Thursday the administration gave hearty support to President Abbas and insisted that Washington will not give up on hopes for regional peace.

About 90 people, most of them militants but including children and other civilians, have been killed since a spike in violence on Sunday sent Gaza spiralling into civil war.

On Thursday Mrs Beckett spoke to President Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, before the state of emergency was declared, the Foreign Office said.

In a statement Mrs Beckett said: "Once again, extremists carrying guns have prevented progress against the wishes of the majority who seek a peaceful two-state solution. The current violence in Gaza and the West Bank remains deeply alarming and I again call on all parties to agree an immediate ceasefire, for the sake of the Palestinian people."