TEL AVIV, March 8: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Friday that truce talks with the Palestinians would have to take place “under fire”, apparently backing down on his demand for a prior seven-day period of calm.

“I thought we could reach a period of respite before a ceasefire,” Sharon said in an interview with a television channel. “But this is a war situation we are experiencing.”

“The negotiations for a ceasefire will take place under fire,” the premier was quoted as saying by the television.

Sharon had not budged since his election as Israel’s prime minister more than a year ago in his insistence on a period of calm before negotiating with the Palestinians. This apparent turnaround comes on the eve of a new visit to the region next week by US peace envoy Anthony Zinni and at the end of the deadliest day since 1987.—AFP