A PALESTINIAN strongman who was the linchpin of American policy towards Gaza for more than a decade had to step down in disgrace yesterday over last month's victory by Hamas over his troops.
Hamas hailed the resignation of Mohammed Dahlan from his post as President Mahmoud Abbas's national security adviser as the consummation of its seizure of the Strip from Fatah and a setback for US plans.
Islam Shawan, a Hamas militia spokesman, s
aid: "This is proof of the failure of the American project."
Mr Dahlan's resignation came in advance of a report on last month's fighting in Gaza that is expected largely to blame him for Fatah's defeat. Some Fatah troops in Gaza were trained and advised by the US, which continues to play the role in the West Bank.
Mr Dahlan, 46, was once seen as a possible successor to Mr Abbas and had been trying to establish a power base.
He oversaw a hard-hitting crackdown against Hamas in 1996 that included the shaving off of beards of Hamas prisoners and, allegedly, torture of detainees.
During a 2003 press conference at the White House, President George Bush called Mr Dahlan a "fine young man".
In Washington's view, Mr. Dahlan was the only person with the toughness and command capability to check the Islamic movement in Gaza.
Mr Abbas is expected to emerge from the report unscathed.
