Abbas pushes ahead with peace plans.

(From The Statesman (India))

Associated Press RAMALLAH, Jan. 27. - The new Palestinian leadership today banned civilians from carrying weapons and indicated it will appoint a new interior minister known for his tough stance against militants, clear signals of seriousness about reining in violence - an Israeli precondition for peace talks. The decree banning Palestinian civilians from holding weapons was a gesture toward Israel and the USA, which have long demanded disarming of militant groups responsible for attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Israelis, as well a double signal to Palestinians - that the Abbas regime will be based on law and order, and that police …