Warm welcome for Abbas in Gaza

Palestinians chanted their support for Mahmoud Abbas in Rafah

Mahmoud Abbas, tipped to become the new Palestinian president, has been given a hero's welcome in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Abbas is often said to be less charismatic and to have less popular support than the late Yasser Arafat, but he was loudly cheered by the crowd.

Rafah refugee camp was decorated with large posters of Mr Abbas, and at one point he was hoisted on the shoulders of armed militants clad in black.

The vote to elect the next Palestinian leader will be held on 9 January.

Mr Abbas has called for an end to Palestinian violence, and has the tacit support of Israel and the US as a potential partner in a revived peace process.

But correspondents note that recent campaign stops have included some public appearances with Palestinian gunmen - something that could raise concerns in Israel about his commitment to peace.

Escape through window

But in Rafah, where scores of Palestinians have been killed in the four-year uprising, he praised the residents, those killed in fighting with Israel, and Palestinian militants on the run.

On the 40th anniversary of his Fatah faction, Mr Abbas repeated his call for an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.

He condemned Israeli incursions into the nearby Khan Younis refugee camp.

"We are committed to the peace process and they should be committed to calm in order to achieve peace," he said.

The hall where he spoke became so crowded that Mr Abbas had to clamber through a window to get out.

"With our blood and our souls we will redeem you," people chanted as he left.