Members of the so-called Mideast Quartet of peace mediators have pledged their full support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Quartet - the European Union, Russia, the United States and the United Nations - called for an end to the violence in Gaza. They also urged that humanitarian goods be allowed to flow into the coastal strip.
In Cairo, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said his country recognizes only one Palestinian government - that headed by President and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas. The Egyptian government on Friday removed its security and diplomatic mission from Gaza, in protest of the Hamas takeover of the territory.
During an emergency meeting in Cairo Friday, Arab foreign ministers agreed to form a committee to analyze the situation in Gaza and report back to the Arab League.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.