Palestinian security forces to recruit 5,000 fresh men

The Palestinian interior ministry will recruit more police and security forces to prepare for coordination with Israel on the latter's summer pullout from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank, a ministry spokesman said Saturday.

"We will recruit 5,000 policemen and officers to join the Palestinian security apparatuses to prepare for Israel's intended withdrawal due in August," Tawfik Abu Khousa told radio Voice of Palestine.

"It's a chance for all Palestinian militants to be recruited in the army and police to prepare for the pullout," Abu Khousa said.

He added not only armed militants but also other Palestinian citizens can join the security apparatuses, but those who have participated in resistance will be preferred.

Israel plans to start withdrawing settlers from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four of about 120 in the West Bank in mid August.

The Palestinian National Authority wants Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan to be part of the US-backed roadmap peace plan aimed at setting up an independent Palestinian state including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Palestinians have agreed to coordinate with Israel on the evacuation.

Source: Xinhua