Egypt and Jordan have said that they would take steps to prevent Israel from deporting Palestinians across their borders, Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Mussa has said.
Mussa notified the Egyptian and Jordanian governments of a message he received from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat regarding "the intention the Israeli government to carry out ethnic cleansing and transfer Palestinian citizens to Egypt and Jordan," Mussa told reporters.
Cairo and Amman said they would take steps to prevent these activities, he added.
Earlier, Israeli Parliament Member and former Arafat advisor Ahmed Tibi told AFP that the Palestinian leader informed him Israel intends to deport hundreds of Palestinian civilians to Jordan and Egypt.
Tibi said the alleged move would involve Palestinians arrested in the West Bank city of Ramallah, adding that he would intervene with the Israeli government to block their exile.
Meanwhile, Jordan's government spokesman said on state television Sunday that the kingdom would reject the "forced exile of the Palestinian people."
Egyptian security sources said that they are monitoring border crossings, particularly in central Sinai, to prevent any forced expulsions of Palestinians.
Zinni
Israeli sources said Monday that US Middle-East special envoy Anthony Zinni met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Sunday night.
The Israeli daily "Yediot Ahronot" reported Monday that in the course of the meeting, the special envoy asked Sharon to clarify his conditions for sealing a cease-fire between the sides.
It quoted political sources as saying that the Israeli aggression on Palestinian cities, villages and camps and the confinement of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at his headquarters would continue and alleged that "for Israel, [Palestinian leader] Arafat is not a partner in the talks". (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
