Officials meet to finalise Sharon-Abbas summit

Israeli and Palestinian officials are to meet today to iron out the details of a forthcoming summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The sides want to reach understandings on the most pressing issues, including Israel’s demands the Palestinians rein in militants and the Palestinian demand that Israel release prisoners before the summit, said Saeb Erekat, the top Palestinian negotiator.

Erekat will meet today with Dov Weisglass, Sharon’s top adviser, in an undisclosed location.

“We don’t want a failed summit. We want a successful summit, we want to agree on the substance,” Erekat said.

The summit, according to the Israelis, is to be held Tuesday.