Israeli Cabinet minister threatens to quit if Arafat blockade lifted

An Israeli Cabinet minister has threatened to quit the coalition government if it lifts a blockade on Yasser Arafat's headquarters.

Avigdor Lieberman says he will lead his party out if Mr Arafat is allowed out of Ramallah.

The Cabinet meets for its weekly session tomorrow.

A walkout by the Infrastructure Minister's National Union party would embarrass Prime Minister Ariel Sharon but not bring down his government.

Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres favour lifting the blockade.

Mr Lieberman told Israeli radio: "There is already a (Cabinet) decision that until the murderers and those who sent them are arrested and extradited to Israel he will not get out of there. The moment there is a decision (to release Arafat)...it will take us outside the government."

The threat comes amid attempts to reduce tensions following the renewal of Israeli-Palestinian security talks.

Despite those efforts, violence has continued, with Israeli troops shooting dead a Palestinian early Saturday.

An army statement says troops at Halhul, just outside the West Bank town of Hebron, opened fire at a man running toward their outpost while screaming "Allah Akbar," or God is great.

He was found not to be carrying weapons or explosives, the military says.