The shootout sparked panic around the conference, which took place in a
Vatican-sponsored school. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who also heads Fatah,
later acknowledged the gun battle, but said it was not serious.
Security sources said PA security forces have refused to cooperate on
such issues as joint investigations and operations. The sources said the
refusal reflected growing tension between rival agencies and forces.
"Sometimes, it is dangerous just leaving forces from different agencies
together in one place," the source said.
"Only in very few cases, did these operations even vaguely succeed," the
source said. "Most of the time, commanders spent their time trying to
prevent a blow-up."
In 2009, U.S. security envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton planned joint
operations of such agencies as the Preventive Security Apparatus and General
Intelligence. Dayton also drafted operations by the National Security Forces
and the Presidential Guard.
GI has been regarded as one of the most problematic security agencies in
the PA. The intelligence agency has clashed with PSA, particularly around
Nablus.
