Armed men escorting Prime Minister Isma'il Haniyah beat and drew guns against a group of journalists and cameramen, which prompted the media to refrain from covering today's cabinet session.

The journalists association condemned the security men and escorts' assault on the journalists and hampering their work, be it at the Prime Ministry or the premises of the Palestinian Legislative Council. It called on the Council of Ministers to shoulder its responsibilities and form an official investigation committee to probe assaults and violations committed against journalists. It also asked for an official apology to the association, which stressed that it will not stand still in the face of threats and any harm to the dignity of journalists. The statement said that this behaviour falls within the circle of intellectual terrorism.

The association sent a letter of protest to President Abbas, Prime Minister Isma'il Haniyah, Director of Internal Security Rashid Abu-Shibak, and chief of police calling for laying down a mechanism for organizing the relationship between the journalists and the Prime Ministry in a way that preserve the dignity and respect of journalists.

For his part, government spokesman, Ghazi Hamad, issued a statement in which he expressed the government's regret for the statement of the journalists association and for holding the Council of Ministers responsible given that the problem erupted between policemen and journalists.

Source: Voice of Palestine, Ramallah, in Arabic 1900 gmt 12 Apr 06

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