Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held his first direct talks with Palestinians in nearly a year, meeting senior officials, Israeli political sources said on Friday.
They said Sharon met Palestinian Legislative Council speaker Ahmed Qorei (Abu Ala) on Wednesday and offered him a proposal to reach a cease-fire agreement. "They discussed ways to reach a ceasefire and resume their talks," one said.
A Palestinian official confirmed the talks took place, according to Reuters.
According to israeli reports, cease-fire discussions between Israel and the Palestinians will resume Monday.
According to the proposal, security cooperation between Israel and the PA would resume gradually in various locations. The PA would take responsibility for security in areas from which the Israeli forces would withdraw and would take action to end attacks on Israeli targets.
In those areas where the plan is implemented, Israel would agree to economic arrangements, such as allowing goods to be delievered and for Palestinians to work in Israel. The Palestinians said the two sides agreed to discuss Sharon's offer.
Dov Weisglass, a senior aide to Sharon, met Palestinian officials including Palestinian Interior Minister Hani al-Hassan on Thursday, the political sources said.
In Gaza Strip, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, urged Muslims in an open letter on Friday to attack Western interests around the world if the United States launches a war on Iraq.
"Muslims will have to threaten and strike Western interests, and hit them everywhere," Yassin wrote in an open letter. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
