Egypt's intelligence head, General Omar Suleiman,
arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah Monday for talks with Palestinian president Yasser Arafat and newly elected Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, also known as Abu Ala.
According to Palestinian sources, Suleiman held a meeting with Mossad chief Meir Degan before his planned meeting with Arafat in Ramallah.
Suleiman was to present several proposals to the Palestinian leadership in advance of Qurei's meetings with opposition groups in the Gaza Strip later this week. Arafat said on Saturday that Suleiman would arrive in the West Bank "with many ideas."
Earlier this year, Suleiman has mediated a unilateral ceasefire declaration by the Palestinian resistance factions, which lasted for 50 days.
According to Palestinian sources, Suleiman has already
sent messages emphasizing the importance of coordinated action on the part of all Palestinian Authority security branches in order to enforce a cease-fire.
Qurei, who has been in contact with Palestinian factions in recent weeks, said Sunday that truce talks would begin soon after Suleiman's visit. Asked whether Hamas is ready for a truce, Qurei conveyed, "There is a Palestinian general desire for dialogue on this issue."
Meanwhile, also Monday, Israeli troops killed a Hamas activist in the West Bank town of Tulkarm, Israel Radio reported.
According to Israeli reports, citing military sources, Israeli soldiers shot dead the Hamas activist, identified by Palestinian sources as Yousef Taleb, 22, after he had "opened fire" on them, as they were on patrol in the refugee camp situated in the town. The Israeli forces returned fire, killing Taleb. No soldiers were reportedly injured. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
