Sharon to arrange summit with Abbas

A reinvigorated Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon was phoning newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas today arrange a meeting in ”the near future”.

Sharon, now with a government that should see through his Gaza withdrawal plan, held the first meeting of his new coalition Cabinet that includes opposition Labour Party leader Shimon Peres.

“I plan on talking to Mahmoud Abbas later in the day to congratulate him,” Sharon said. He said the meeting will be “in the near future” and focus on security-related issues.

Sharon had refused any contact with Abbas’ predecessor, Yasser Arafat.

A senior Defence Ministry official said Israel is ready to hand over security duties in West Bank cities to the Palestinians The official said discussions with the Palestinians on the matter would likely begin in the coming days.

Israel’s ceremonial president called Abbas today to congratulate him.

President Moshe Katsav also told Abbas that he hopes they can meet in the near future.