Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh have appealed for an end to the fighting between Hamas militiamen and the president’s Fatah faction.

At least eight people were killed and scores more wounded in the fighting which broke out Sunday in the Gaza Strip and Ramallah.

The clashes were triggered when Hamas security forces tried to stop protests by policemen demanding the payment of overdue salaries from the Hamas-led government.

Demonstrators set fire to the Palestinian cabinet building in Ramallah.

In a televised speech, President Abbas said he had ordered the prosecutor general to open an inquiry and bring those implicated in the conflict before the courts.

He called on the Fatah security forces to end their protests and return to their positions.

Prime Minister Haniya said he spoke with the president by telephone and stressed the need for the government and the presidency to work together to halt tensions and ensure respect for law and order.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.