Qureia calls for ceasefire in violent 'cycle of hell'

PALESTINIAN Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia yesterday called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire with Israel.

Earlier yesterday Yassar Arafat also called for an end to the violence with Israel, saying that "the time has come between us and you Israelis ... to get out of this cycle of destructive war". Mr Arafat has made such statements in the past, but he now faces growing calls among Palestinians to make concrete moves to end the bloodshed.

"To the Israelis, we want peace and security and independence that will not be realised unless we work together," Mr Qureia said. "Let's help each other stop this cycle of hell."