Palestinian FM smuggles $20 million across border

Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar secreted US $20 million (€15 million) into the Gaza Strip in a suitcase Tuesday in what has become a common way for his embattled government to get funds despite an international boycott, Palestinian security officials said. In an effort to keep his government afloat, Zahar repeatedly has hauled cash across the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Israel in recent months. The crossing is run by Abbas' presidential guard and observed by European monitors. Zahar declared the stash he was carrying Tuesday on the Egyptian side of the border, Palestinian security forces said. But Maria Telleris, spokeswoman for the European monitors, said he did not declare the money on the Palestinian side.