Sharon and Arafat play blame game as Palestinian gunman is killed

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat accused each other of stoking the Middle East conflict yesterday as a Palestinian gunman was killed and three Israelis wounded.

Despite contact between the sides and talk of a possible Israeli troop pullback, violence persists and both leaders continue to trade recriminations.

Mr Sharon again said he did not believe Mr Arafat’s government would take action to prevent Palestinian attacks against Israel.