Israel vows to lift Arafat ban after ceasefire

Israel says it will lift a travel ban on Yasser Arafat once the Palestinians have signed a ceasefire agreement.

Ariel Sharon issued the statement following a meeting with US Vice President Dick Cheney. The US will remain "very actively engaged" in Middle East truce efforts, Mr Cheney said.

Mr Cheney has drawn angry complaints from the Palestinians for not meeting with Arafat during his 24-hour visit to Israel.

The US vice president, however, said he was willing to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but did not say when such talks would be held.

He has carried with him a request from Arab leaders that he push the Israelis to allow Arafat to leave Palestinian areas to attend an Arab summit in Beirut, Lebanon, later this month.

Mr Cheney put the onus in reaching and protecting a ceasefire on Arafat, saying the coming week would be crucial for the Palestinian leader. He added that Arafat must do everything he can to prevent attacks on Israelis.

Israeli troops have already pulled out of some Palestinian-run areas, boosting chances for a truce that would end 18 months of Middle East fighting.

In continuing violence, two Palestinian gunmen infiltrated an army training area in the West Bank, killing an Israeli officer and wounding three soldiers before being shot dead.

A Palestinian man standing outside his shop in the town of Beit Omar was killed by Israeli troops.

Israel says it will take about a month to carry out its side of a ceasefire bargain, brokered by CIA chief George Tenet. The Palestinians are due to present their plan on Wednesday. If an agreement is reached, a truce could be declared then.