Egypt troops pull back, Hamas ready for talks

By Will Rasmussen

RAFAH, Egypt (Reuters) - Egyptian troops stood by and let thousands of Palestinians stream out of Gaza on Saturday after failing to seal breaches blown in the border by Hamas militants defying an Israeli blockade.

The Islamist group said it was ready for direct talks with Cairo to end the border chaos, a move that appeared aimed at ensuring Hamas kept control and sidelining rival President Mahmoud Abbas's plan to put his forces there.

In a sign that Egyptian patience could be wearing thin with the Palestinians, the government warned them not to provoke security forces and said at least 38 security men had been wounded since the border was forced open on Wednesday.

Gaza-registered cars and trucks ferried food and fuel back from Egypt to evade the blockade Israel said it imposed to counter rocket fire from the Hamas-controlled strip.

Security sources said Egyptian forces were ordered to pull back from the border overnight and avoid confrontation after a failed attempt to start sealing border breaches on Friday.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Egypt was concerned by "provocations from Palestinian groups" against its forces. He said the wounded included two high-ranking officers and some of those hurt were in a critical condition.

"The Palestinian brothers should be aware that the Egyptian willingness to host them and make their lives easier cannot extend to threatening the lives of Egyptian forces," he said in remarks carried by state news agency MENA.

It was Egypt's strongest criticism of the Palestinians since the border was breached. Aboul Gheit said Egypt would invite both Hamas and Abbas's government for talks on the border.