Arab League (AL) chief Amr Moussa on Saturday expressed his deep concern over the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli pullout.

"Moussa had a phone talk with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, expressing his confidence that the veteran leader can keep matters under his control," AL spokesman Hossam Zaki said.

"Moussa also urged all Palestinian factions to act in unity at this critical stage," the spokesman said.

Earlier in the day, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei submitted his resignation to Arafat in protest against the anarchy, corruption and the deteriorating security in the Palestinian territories. Arafat rejected Qurei's resignation.

Three kidnapping incidents took place in the Gaza Strip on Friday, in which militants abducted police chief Ghazi el-Jabali, a Palestinian colonel in charge of liaison and four French aid workers. All hostages were released later.

The kidnappers, who were members of the mainstream Fatah movement chaired by Arafat, called for ending corruption and taking to court all corrupted Palestinian officials.

Also on Saturday, the Palestinian National Authority declared a state of emergency in the Gaza Strip.