Palestinian PM faints during speech

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh fainted briefly Friday during a speech to an outdoor rally in Gaza City, but he resumed it after several minutes.

Haniyeh, 46, slurred some words, then stopped speaking in midsentence and fell on aides surrounding him. He was put on a chair as aides attended to him.

Like all observant Muslims, Haniyeh is fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. The speech was delivered on a hot autumn day.

Haniyeh resumed his speech after several minutes.

"Our bodies can get tired, but our soul will not, and we will not stop our steadfastness," he said of the incident.