Protestors opposed to the Hamas led Palestinian government have set fire to the cabinet building at Ramallah on the West Bank, as clashes worsen between rival factions in the territories. It is the latest incident in a wave of violence since the Hamas government of prime minister Ismail Haniyeh was formed in March.

Fighting spread to the West Bank from Gaza where three people were killed and dozens injured in gun battles between the rival factions. It started when Palestinian police went on strike and joined thousands of government workers who have been demanding full payment of long overdue
salaries.

Hamas militiamen were ordered onto the streets where they clashed with the policemen. US secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is due in the region in a few days time in a mission to revive the stalled peace process.

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