Palestine Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas kicked off his first visit to the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on Saturday as part of his election campaign. Abbas was received by thousands of Palestinians in the city,which has witnessed Israeli incursions and destruction of housesover the past four years.

Abbas' visit was postponed for two hours after the Israeli army tightened security measures imposed on central and southern Gaza Strip, mainly Deir El Ballah in central Gaza Strip, Khan Yunis andRafah in the south.

Outside the building of Rafah conference center, thousands of people waited for Abbas and chanted, "We sacrifice our souls and blood for Abu Mazen (Abbas)" as he stepped into the center. Abbas replied, "We seek a good and safe life for our people." "We want a good life for our people. We want a safe life for our people. We want a state of law for the sake of every Palestinianand to be respected by every Palestinian," Abbas told the mass. "We will never forget prisoners and we will never forget refugees who have been living away from their homes over the last 50 years," Abbas said.

He said that he lit a torch in Gaza on Friday to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement, adding "this revolution would continue till a young Palestinian child raises the Palestinian flag on fences of Jerusalem." The Israeli Ha'aretz daily reported on its website that Abbas paid tribute to Palestinians killed in fight with Israel, with gunmen shooting to the air, in a large rally to mark the Fatah's 40th anniversary.

A spokesman for Abbas said that Abbas needs the support of the Palestinian street for a sweeping victory in the election that will enable him to negotiate with Israel in the future. Abbas, the candidate of the Fatah movement, is widely believed to be the winner of the election due on Jan. 9.