Infighting has spread within the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership and between the PA and American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, according to the Egyptian newspaper Al Masriyoon. The PA has rejected Bush administration attempts to integrate its Gaza strongman, Mohammed Dahlan, into the leadership. Dahlan is widely blamed for the failure of PA security forces to withstand the Hamas military takeover in Gaza last June. He is widely feared and hated but also is a symbol of authority.

The newspaper also reported that differences between PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad are so sharp that Secretary Rice met with them separately during her visit to the Middle East last week.