RAMALLAH, June 14, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas chaired a meeting of the PLO Executive Committee in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The Committee was updated by President Abbas on the coup by Hamas in Gaza Strip against the legal authority.

The top PLO body on Thursday recommended to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he declare a state of emergency and dismantle the government in response to Hamas' near-takeover of Gaza, an aide said.

Abbas said he would review the recommendations and make decision within hours, said an aide, Nabil Amr.

The Committee discussed the grave situation that endangers the Palestinian cause, it also presented a number of political and security recommendations aiming at keeping the national legitimacy and the political system.

The Committee also authorized President Abbas to take a number of decisions to protect the national legality and national unity and put an end to the conspiracy against the national future and the dreams of the Palestinian people of freedom and independence.

(15:45P) (12:45GMT)