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Israel Suspends Attacks on Palestinian Authority
JERUSALEM, Dec. 5 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Israel suspended Wednesday its strikes against the Palestinian Authority to give its leader, Yasser Arafat, the chance to show he was serious about cracking down on those behind a spate of deadly attacks.
Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said the authorities had agreed to a request by Arafat to give his police freedom to move around in order to make good on pledges to arrest members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who have vowed to continue attacks despite Arafat's insistence on a truce.
"Arafat phoned me and said he wanted to take the situation in hand and complained that we are not giving him the chance," Peres said on public radio. "I told him the situation depends on him and that in the next 12 hours, he could change [Israel's] attitude toward the Palestinian Authority, which is suffering from a problem of credibility."
Hardline Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon launched two days of air strikes on Arafat's security bases and symbols of his power Monday to show Israel's anger that the veteran leader had failed to prevent three bombers killing 25 people on Israel's streets at the weekend.
A defense ministry spokesman confirmed that the army had suspended its strikes for an indeterminate period to test Arafat's resolve to take on the major figures in the two Islamic group' military wings, despite popular opposition among his people.
"We want to see what Arafat is doing, if he is taking seriously the demands of the whole world. But we will continue to fight terror," said ministry spokesman Yarden Vatikay. "So far he is playing games. He hasn't touched anyone. He hasn't arrested any of the 'hardcore' militants."
Arafat told ABC News he had arrested 131 people, including 11 after Israel's air raids, which killed two Palestinians and injured more than 120 people.
"They have to cool down, to give me the chance," Arafat told ABC.
Peres said he had told Arafat, "We gave you a list of 36 people who we know to be the leaders of terrorist organizations and we firmly demand that you put them in prison.
"Arafat then asked me to allow his police forces to operate freely in the territories," which the Israeli army has subjected to a strict lockdown since the Jerusalem bombing Saturday night. "I spoke to the prime minister, and he gave his authorization, which I passed on to Yasser Arafat."
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the 22 members of the Arab League will hold an urgent meeting in Cairo Sunday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa said.
"This meeting hopes to adopt a unified Arab position concerning the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and their national institutions," Mussa declared to the press.
The London-based newspaper, Asharq Al-Awsat, reported that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sent an envoy to meet with Sharon and Peres. The message warned them against endangering Arafat's life.
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