Arafat takes action against anti-U.S. protests

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Embarrassed by anti-U.S. protests, Yasser Arafat's government took two unprecedented steps yesterday: it closed Gaza City's universities to silence Islamic militants and barred foreign reporters from the Gaza Strip to prevent coverage of the events.

The clampdown by the Palestinian Authority came a day after the deadliest internal Palestinian fighting in years, triggered by the militants' show of support for Osama bin Laden. Two civilians were killed and dozens of police and protesters hurt in a clash with guns, stones, clubs and tear gas.

The fighting pitted the Palestinian Authority against its longtime rival, the Islamic militant group Hamas, which has been behind the rallies in support of bin Laden following the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States.

Arafat is trying to persuade Hamas to abide by a Sept. 26 truce with Israel, and could be using the clampdown to force it into compliance.

In recent weeks, Arafat had shied away from open confrontation with Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group, even though both had defied his orders to stop attacks on Israelis.

Palestinian analyst Ghassan Khatib said it was easier for Arafat to crack down on the militants over the pro-bin Laden rallies than over the cease-fire, which is largely unpopular.

Many Palestinians are dismayed by bin Laden's attempt in a televised address this week to create a link between the Palestinian cause and his war against the United States.

"The statement that represents average Palestinians and their feelings about bin Laden's speech is to respond: 'Leave us alone,'" Khatib said.