Yasser Arafat today presented a plan for reforming his security services to visiting CIA chief George Tenet, with the Palestinian leader proposing to halve their number and tighten supervision.

Israeli troops entered another West Bank city early today as Washington announced that President George Bush would meet Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon next week in fresh efforts to bring calm to the Middle East and renew peace talks.

The Israeli army detained about 400 Palestinian suspects for questioning today, as CIA chief George Tenet was due to arrive for talks with leaders from both sides.

Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs had a meeting set for today to discuss implementation of a ceasefire negotiated by CIA director George Tenet, after violence coloured the first day of the truce.