Who rules Nablus?

Last Modified: 24 Nov 2007
By: Nick Paton Walsh

The battle for control of Nablus as the Palestinian president attempts to stamp his authority on the troubled town.

The latest talks aimed at bringing peace between Israel and the Palestinians begin in Annapolis in the United States next week.

For the Palestinian President,Mahmoud Abbas, they could prove a make-or-break moment. His Fatah party now only controls the West Bank - Gaza is under the control of Hamas - and western powers have been pouring aid into the area to boost his position.

The focus has been on the lawless town of Nablus, and success for Mr Abbas in bringing peace and political control to this town is seen by many as a vital test for Palestinian statehood.

Our Foreign Affairs correspondent Nick Paton Walsh reports from Nablus, you may find some of the images in his report disturbing.

His report contains footage gathered in Nablus by Paul Martin of World News Features.