US urges Israel to give Arafat travel freedom

The United States has urged the Israel Government to allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to attend this week’s Arab League summit in Lebanon.

Arafat is currently restricted by an Israeli travel ban and the Israeli authorities have said the price for his freedom is a ceasefire by all Palestinian militant groups.

A decision on the matter is expected today or tomorrow morning.

Even if it is favourable to the Palestinian leader, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has threatened not to allow Mr Arafat back into the Palestinian territories after the summit, a move that has drawn criticism from US Secretary of State Colin Powell.