PAKISTAN. ABBAS 'CONSIDERING DEATH PENALTY'

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is considering bringing back the use of death sentences in a bid to keep law and order in the Gaza Strip. 
The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, told Reuters news agency Mr Abbas had asked him for an Islamic legal ruling on the death penalty.
He said Mr Abbas was responding to pressure from Palestinians to end "security chaos" in the Gaza Strip.
Human rights groups have expressed their concern at the move.
The death penalty is also likely to be opposed by the European Union, top donor to the Palestinian Authority, say correspondents.
Sheikh Sabri told Reuters he had been asked for Islamic legal rulings that would pave the way for 16 death warrants, some issued years ago, to be carried out.
"The issue is that in Gaza there is security chaos. The crime of murder has spread there," Sheikh Sabri told Reuters.
"The people... demanded the Palestinian Authority president carry out the death sentence on those who killed innocents to prevent future crimes and acts of revenge."
He said he could issue a religious opinion on the issue "within weeks".
Officials say no final decision has been made on the re-introduction of the death penalty and no executions are imminent.