RAMALLAH, West Bank, Jan 11: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas assured tens of thousands of supporters on Thursday that he was determined to prevent further factional clashes with rival Hamas after weeks of internecine bloodshed.

“Preserving national unity and preventing internal clashes is our priority,” Abbas told a crowd of flag-waving, chanting supporters of his Fatah party in central Ramallah.

“Spilling Palestinian blood is a red line that should not be crossed and those who do so are criminals,” he said, a white and black traditional keffiyeh scarf wrapped around his neck.

“The sole language that should prevail is dialogue,” he said.

Tens of thousands of mostly youthful Fatah supporters waved Palestinian flags and yellow Fatah standards as they gathered in chilly temperatures under sunny skies, next to the mausoleum of Fatah founder, Yasser Arafat.—AFP