Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas vowed to put an end to the security chaos in the occupied territories and prevent looting in the aftermath of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
"The security of our citizens is our main concern," Abbas said at a press conference in Gaza City, according to AFP.
"We have begun to work on it it and we will continue to do so and we hope that much progress can be made in the future."
"We are hoping to take measures on the ground so that citizens can feeel really secure and we will not spare any effort to ensure this comes about."
Abbas appointed a new three-man team over the weekend to lead the Palestinian security network which will now involve only three branches -- military intelligence, police and national security.
The Palestinian leader insisted that he would not allow a free-for-all to take place after the Israelis depart from the territory. "Gaza and the settlements are the property of the Palestinian people and we are committed to their protection," he said.
Preventing "looting and protecting property are part of the responsibilities of the Palestinian Authority," he added.
