BETHLEHEM (West Bank), July 2: Palestinian security forces returned to the streets of Bethlehem on Wednesday after Israel handed over responsibility for control of the town in the latest move to bolster the “roadmap” for peace.

A jeep carrying six members of the preventive security forces wearing military fatigues could be seen driving past the Church of the Nativity in the centre of the city at around 4:00 pm, its sirens blazing.

Scores of police in dark-coloured uniforms also took up positions in the town after a Palestinian flag-raising ceremony over the local security headquarters.

Some were seen carrying assault rifles while others had holstered weapons on their belts.

The Israeli army confirmed that the transfer of control had taken place.

“Responsibility for security matters has been transferred,” an army spokeswoman told AFP, saying the process had been completed.

The handover was largely symbolic since no Israeli troops or armour have been permanently based in Bethlehem in recent weeks.

But the move gave yet further impetus to the US-backed “peace roadmap” following a meeting late Tuesday between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmud Abbas, which saw both sides voice optimism for the future.

A top Palestinian official also predicted the imminent release of 21 Palestinian political prisoners, a key demand of Abbas.

Haj Ismail Jabr, head of Palestinian National Security forces in the West Bank, said among those whom Israel agreed to be released was Ahmed Saadat, secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Mr Saadat is being held under international guard in the West Bank town of Jericho in connection with the October 2001 assassination of Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi claimed by the PFLP.

There was no immediate confirmation of the planned releases from the Israeli defence ministry. During his meeting with Mr Sharon, Mr Abbas had demanded the release of political prisoners.

The Bethlehem withdrawal came three days after Israeli troops pulled out of some reoccupied areas in the northern Gaza Strip and transferred policing duties there to the Palestinian services.

That coincided with a truce announcement by most armed Palestinian factions which is expected to help the Palestinian Authority pass the test as the army gradually hands over control of areas reoccupied since the start of the intifada in September 2000.

Military radio reported that the latest security talks yielded an agreement for the rules of engagement to be tightened, with Israeli troops allowed to open fire only if their life is threatened.

Israeli security sources said that both parties had agreed to hold more talks in coming days.

Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz was expected to meet Palestinian Minister of State for Security Affairs Mohammed Dahlan to discuss further withdrawals, in compliance with the roadmap, a senior Palestinian official told AFP.

But a poll published on Wednesday revealed that almost two-thirds of Israelis believe the truce will fall apart within a month.

Thirty-six per cent said they did not expect the ceasefire would last a week while a further 26 per cent thought that it would survive no longer than a month, according to the survey carried by military radio.

The truce on the suspension of military activity against Israel is conditioned on a halt to army incursions, targeted killings and house demolitions, as well as on the release of prisoners.

The success of the truce also hinged on that of the joint security agreements on the areas handed back to the Palestinians, and early signs of their fragility were already emerging.

Palestinian security sources charged that Israeli troops still posted in and around the Gaza Strip had violated agreements several times over the past 24 hours.

They cited the overnight closure of the main north-south road, two shootings against farmers in the south and east of Jabalya, as well as insufficient efforts to let Palestinians through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

In the West Bank, an Israeli border guard was shot and lightly wounded on Wednesday near Tulkarem at the construction site of a security fence being built between the territory and Israel, military radio said.

An explosive device was also thrown at a police border patrol in the al Khalil area, while two mortar rounds were fired at an Israeli settlement in the Gaza Strip, said sources.—AFP