By Abdul Raheem Ali, IOL Correspondent

GAZA CITY, January 16 (IslamOnline.net) – While Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon gave his army a free rein in Gaza Strip, Arab countries, particularly Syria and Lebanon, were holding intensive talks with Palestinian resistance groups to broker a unilateral ceasefire.

“Consultations are underway between some Arab capitals, chiefly Cairo, Riyadh, Doha, Damascus and Beirut, and key Palestinian factions like Hamas and Islamic Jihad on a unilateral Palestinian ceasefire,” a well-kept Arab diplomatic source told IslamOnline.net Saturday, January 15.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was due to travel to Gaza on Wednesday for talks with the factions aimed at reaching an agreement on a ceasefire.

In his inauguration speech Saturday, January 15, Abu Mazen called for a mutual ceasefire with Israel and talks on a final peace settlement.

A Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire would allow to address the pressing issues of unifying Palestinian security bodies, ending the security chaos, finding necessary funds to reform the Palestinian Authority, he added.

“Brokering a ceasefire is the only option left for Abu Mazen to tackle these issues and secure European financial assistance and political support linking the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to the roadmap plan.”

The source added that the truce would allow Arab countries to ask the Quartet Committee (which comprises the US, EU, UN and Russia) to press Sharon to implement the internationally-endorsed blueprint.

Syria-Lebanese Stance

Syrian and Lebanon, accused by Washington of undermining ceasefire efforts, agree on the need for a truce, the Arab diplomatic source said.

“All Arab countries are now convinced of the need to broker a Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire agreed upon by all Palestinian factions.”

The US and some European countries were posted on the new Syrian and Lebanese stance which was also welcomed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, he said.

According to the source, the new position of the two countries would help make a headway in view of their distinguished relations with the Palestinian factions, chiefly Hamas and Jihad.

Consultations

Arab countries, particularly heavyweights Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are seeking US assurances that Sharon would not sabotage the ceasefire, well-informed sources told IOL.

Sharon said Sunday, January 16, he has given his army a free hand to carry out unlimited operations in Gaza Strip.

“The Tsahal (army) and the security forces have received orders to operate without any limits on time or their modus operandi to act against the terrorist organizations,” Sharon said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, referring to Palestinian resistance factions.

Israeli occupation forces gunned down Saturday eight Palestinians in separate attacks across Gaza Strip.

Sharon had frozen contacts with Abbas following an attack on a crossing point Thursday that left six Israelis and three Palestinians dead.

Claiming responsibility for the attack, three Palestinian resistance factions said it came in retaliation for “Israel’s non-stop policy of aggressions and assassinations.”

Hamas and Jihad movements link any possible ceasefire to the halt of Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people, including incursions, assassinations and houses demolition.