Dahlan denies holding talks with Israel for 'the day after'

[Gimel]

Former security chief in the Gaza Strip Mohammed Dahlan denied on Monday reports that he secretly met with Israeli officials to discuss assuming security control of the Gaza Strip following an Israeli withdrawal, Israel Radio reported.

Dahlan, formerly Yasser Arafat's security adviser in the Gaza Strip, is perceived as the strongest leader in Gaza, the only one capable of controlling the various groups and enforcing law and order. Formerly he was head of the Palestinian Authority Preventative Security Service in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon approved the talks with Dahlan, and the Bush administration encouraged them.

Dahlan recently returned to the Gaza Strip from studies in Britain, shortly after Sharon announced his plans to disengage from the Gaza Strip. Dahlan's return is perceived in the context of wishing to gain back control of Gaza, perhaps even greater control than under former PA Prime Minister Muhammad Abbas.

<snip>

continued...

A new day will dawn