Powell holds talks with Arab leaders

US Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed a possible interim Palestinian state and other peace ideas with Arab leaders in Washington as US officials cautiously welcomed a promise by the Palestinians’ new security chief to curb attacks on Israelis.

With US President George Bush expected to outline his peace proposals soon, Powell had a ‘‘warm and useful’’ 40-minute meeting with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Powell’s spokesman said yesterday, but neither side would provide details.