Sharon, Abbas declare an end to violence

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas declared yesterday that their people would stop all violent attacks against each other, pledging to break a four-year cycle of bloodshed and get peace talks back on track.

But, ominously, the two militant groups responsible for most of the terror attacks on Israel refused to be bound by the agreement.

In one sign the talks went well, Egypt and Jordan announced immediately afterward that they would return their ambassadors to Israel after a four-year absence possibly within days.

As part of the deal, Israel will hand over control of five West Bank towns to the Palestinians within three weeks and will immediately release 500 Palestinian prisoners.

Those agreements, and the sight of Mr Abbas and Mr Sharon shaking hands, were the clearest signs yet of momentum in the peace process after Yasser Arafat's death in November and Mr Abbas' election to succeed him in January.

One Israeli official, Gideon Meir, said "there was a great atmosphere in the talks".

"We have agreed on halting all violent actions against Palestinians and Israelis wherever they are," Mr Abbas declared in a statement made after the summit, as he, Sharon, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah sat together.

Mr Sharon made a similar pledge.

"Today, in my meeting with Chairman Abbas, we agreed that all Palestinians will stop all acts of violence against all Israelis everywhere, and, at the same time, Israel will cease all its military activity against all Palestinians everywhere," he said.

Mr Abbas said it was time for the Palestinian people to regain their freedom.

And Mr Sharon, in what he said was a direct address to the Palestinian people, said: "I assure you that we have a genuine intention to respect your rights to live independently and in dignity. I have already said that Israel has no desire to continue to govern over you and control your fate."

As part of the hand over of five West Bank towns, Israeli and Palestinian security commanders are to meet today to prepare the hand over of Jericho, the first West Bank town in the list of five, said Palestinian negotiator Hassan Abu Libdeh.

After the immediate release of 500 Palestinian prisoners, another 400 will be released at a later stage, he said.

Mr Abbas said he expected the ceasefire pledges also to pave the way for resumption of talks on so-called "final status" issues such as borders, refugees and Jerusalem's status, all within the context of the Middle East road map to peace.