Arafat slams 'atrocious crimes'
19/05/2004 21:24  - (SA)  

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10 die in Rafah air strike Rafah's black 'Rainbow' day Israeli raid kills 12 in Rafah Over 1 000 homeless in Rafah Israeli troops destroy houses 10 Palestinians dead in Rafah

Ramallah - Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Wednesday lambasted Israel for its "atrocious crimes" in the southern Gaza town of Rafah and called for an international observer force to protect his people.

"I call on the quartet, Arab countries, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and United Nations security council to take the necessary decisions in order to deal with these atrocious crimes," Arafat said at the opening of an emergency meeting of the Palestinian leadership.

Ten Palestinians, mostly youngsters, were killed and scores wounded when the Israeli army opened fire on demonstrators protesting against military operations in Rafah.

At least 34 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops since the army launched a vast sweep, dubbed "Operation Rainbow", early on Tuesday and aimed at stopping arms smuggling from Egypt.

The Palestinian leader emphasised in his speech the need to "send international forces to protect the Palestinian people".

"The Israelis should be made accountable," he added.

According to the official Wafa agency, Arafat received a telephone call on Wednesday from French foreign minister Michel Barnier.

The Palestinian leader briefed Barnier on the extent of the human and material damage caused by the latest violence in Rafah and warned of a "major catastrophe" in the flashpoint border town, said Wafa.

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