Israel’s foreign minister today cautioned the international community against going down the “slippery slope” of legitimising Hamas, criticising Russia’s decision to invite the militant group to Moscow for talks.

The Palestinian parliament today decided to appoint a committee of politicians to investigate what killed long-time leader Yasser Arafat, alleging Israel involvement.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas expects Hamas to hand in its weapons after joining the Palestinian parliament this summer, he said.

The Palestinian parliament today approved a cabinet dominated by professional appointees, including nearly half with doctoral degrees, in a major move toward long-promised government reform.

The Israeli parliament easily passed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s contentious plan to pull out of Gaza and part of the West Bank, approving compensation of hundreds of thousands of shekels to families of settlers to be evacuated.

The Palestinian parliament is to convene for an emergency session later today to swear in a new Palestinian Authority president, in place of Yasser Arafat, a parliament official said.

The Palestinian parliament today called on Yasser Arafat to accept the resignation of his prime minister and cabinet, adding to a week of political chaos and violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Palestinian parliament speaker Ahmed Qureia today accepted Yasser Arafat’s nomination to be prime minister, an official said.

THE Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers made their first public show of reconciliation yesterday, confirming their commitment to peace as Israeli armoured vehicles and trucks loaded with military gear began a withdrawal from Bethlehem.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met key advisers today as he geared up for crucial talks tomorrow evening with his Palestinian counterpart, the first meeting at that level between the two sides in 31 months.

The Palestinian parliament tonight confirmed Mahmoud Abbas and his Cabinet, clearing the way for the presentation of a US-backed Mideast peace plan in the coming days.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell says he plans to have a “good, strong, candid” dialogue with Syrian officials when he travels to Damascus.

PRIME Minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas presented a new Cabinet to Yasser Arafat, ending a stand-off with the Palestinian leader over its composition, officials said yesterday, and ensuring that a US-backed peace plan remains on track.

Palestinian Prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas has formed a new Cabinet, ending a stand-off with Yasser Arafat that threatened Mideast peace moves, officials said today.

Yasser Arafat is to appoint his long-time deputy Mahmoud Abbas as prime minister today, a senior official said, marking the first time the Palestinian leader has been forced to share power.

The Palestinian parliament today rejected Yasser Arafat’s request that a Cabinet formed by a future prime minister be “presented” to him – one of several amendments to a reform package the Palestinian leader had proposed.

The Palestinian parliament has established the position of prime minister and approved to a bill defining the new post's powers.

The Palestinian parliament today began debating what powers the new job of prime minister should hold, amid suspicions that Yasser Arafat is prepared to give up little of his.

YASSER ARAFAT presented a new cabinet on Tuesday and said he remains committed to internal reform, but he accused Israel of demanding change in his government as a pretext for destroying the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat today claimed Israeli troops tried to kill him during a raid on his compound earlier this month.

MARWAN Barghouti, a Palestinian uprising leader, yesterday distributed his own 54 count “indictment” of Israel during his murder trial.

Yasser Arafat will run for re-election, snubbing a call from President Bush for a new Palestinian leadership as part of a deal for provisional statehood.

Two Israeli soldiers and a Palestinian gunman were killed in a firefight in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli military, and Israeli troops rolled into two West Bank towns last night.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has decided to hold presidential and parliamentary elections with six months, according to the secretary general of the Palestinian Cabinet.

The Palestinian parliament has demanded general elections be held within a year.

Israel’s largest military offensive in a generation, which allegedly included an assault on the birthplace of Christianity, tonight spurred President Bush into action.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres has revealed details of a plan to try to end the violence between Israel and the Palestinians and find a lasting peace agreement.

Peace talks are resuming in the Middle East as Jewish settlers destroy dozens of Palestinian farms in the Gaza Strip.