Arafat to remain blockaded in Ramallah

Israel has eased restrictions on Yasser Arafat but will still confine him to the West Bank town of Ramallah.

The Security Cabinet has voted to allow Mr Arafat to move around the town, says Sagiv Rotenberg, a spokesman for Avigdor Lieberman, a member of the security body.

However, he will not be allowed to leave the town.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has rejected the Israeli decision.

"It is unacceptable, it is a message from the Israeli government that it is not interested in sustaining the ceasefire and reviving hope that peace is doable or in coming back to negotiation table," he said.

Israel says it has confined Mr Arafat to his home territory to try to force him to crack down on Palestinian militants responsible for attacks against Israelis.

However, Palestinians say the Israeli siege in a Palestinian town is part of an Israeli campaign against the Palestinian people and an attempt to bring about the collapse of Mr Arafat's regime.

Mr Arafat has said repeatedly that he is making "100% effort" to stop attacks.