Israel to be blamed if truce fails: Abbas

"Israel has persisted over these last days, notably Friday, in continuing its incursions, killing and destruction, which makes it responsible for the results," Abbas said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency after a press conference late Saturday in Jeddah following talks with Saudi King Fahd.

Four Palestinians, including two members of the militant group Hamas, died in the Nablus raid, the most lethal Israeli operation since the ceasefire took hold on June 29 in a bid to make headway on Washington's "roadmap" for peace.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

Hamas's armed wing has said the deaths will not go unpunished, while a political leader of the group said it was still committed to the truce.

In signing up to the truce, Palestinian groups had "shown a greater degree of responsibility in the hope that Israel puts an end to its attacks and killings," Abbas said.

Abbas admitted to having been in conflict with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat when his cabinet was formed.

"I admit there was a difference but it wasn't the first and won't be the last because we still have differences on our daily actions. It's not wrong to have differences on daily issues as long as they stay within the law."

Meanwhile, Israel will continue to build a security barrier to protect itself from Palestinian attacks, despite protests and threats of sanctions from its US ally, Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom said Sunday.

Shalom told Israeli public radio that Israel would take American objections into account "as much as possible" but was determined to find ways of protecting Israeli citizens, including settlers.

"The security barrier will continue to be built despite our disagreement with the United States over its route," the chief Israeli diplomat said.

Washington, in a rare break with Israel, is concerned that the barrier between Israel and the West Bank could complicate negotiations on the borders of a future Palestinian state, the goal of a US-sponsored peace "roadmap."

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said Washington is considering whether to penalize Israel for construction of the barrier by withholding some of nine billion dollars in loan guarantees for the Jewish state.

But Shalom said: "We will find a solution allowing us to ensure the security of all our citizens, including the settlers, that will take into account as much as possible the American concerns."

"Between friends there can sometimes be a difference of views."

The issue is expected to feature prominently in talks this week between officials here and William Burns, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who is due to arrive Tuesday.