British Prime Minister Tony Blair has decided to hold a conference about Middle East peace talks next week despite Israel's refusal to let Palestinian delegates attend, officials said on Friday.
"The talks are set for Tuesday," a government official said, according to AP. A diplomatic source said Terje Roed-Larsen, the special U.N. coordinator in the Middle East, would be present. Other nations and blocs are likely to be represented at ambassadorial level.
Earlier, Blair's official spokesman said details of the conference "were being finalized." One option suggested was that Palestinian representatives could be involved via video phone.
Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon has so far refused to meet Britain's ambassador, Sherard Cowper-Coles, who has a letter from Blair spelling out what he wants from the meeting.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Zeid Baisi died in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, of wounds apparently sustained while preparing a homemade grenade, Palestinian witnesses and hospital officials said.
Local residents said he was a member of Hamas.
Israeli troops operating near the West Bank city of Ramallah early Saturday arrested three activists belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. A Hamas operative was arrested near Hebron, Israel Radio reported. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
