Palestinian factions criticize Egypts role

[Gimel]

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

An ally of Yasser Arafat and Palestinian factions expressed dismay Tuesday over Egypt's plan to secure the Gaza Strip after an Israeli withdrawal, saying they did not want outsiders to meddle in Palestinian affairs.

The harsh criticism of Egypt's proposed role came a day before Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman was to arrive for separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Growing tensions between Egypt and the Palestinian Authority could complicate Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza by the end of 2005. A top Palestinian official tried to play down the disagreements.

Also Tuesday, US ambassador Daniel Kurtzer said Israel must live up to promises to dismantle dozens of West Bank outposts and freeze settlement building. "This is something that Israel undertook to do, and therefore, sure, we expect them to be fulfilled," Kurtzer told Israel Army Radio.

Report