AL QUDS, March 19: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held an unannounced meeting with the Jordanian king amid his efforts to promote a plan for a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, where tensions were still running high on Friday.

King Abdullah II visited Sharon's ranch in the southern Negev desert on Thursday after arriving by helicopter and discussed the Israeli premier's "disengagement plan", public radio reported.

Neither leader issued a statement following the impromptu summit and Sharon's office also remained mum on the talks, which came amid intensified efforts by Sharon to promote his plan at home and abroad.

However, a source from the king's office said Abdullah, accompanied by his intelligence chief, General Saad Khair, met Sharon in line with contacts aimed at "stopping Israel from taking unilateral measures that affect the rights of the Palestinian people."

Sharon has laid out a package of unilateral measures to extract Israel from the Palestinian question if there is no progress on the US-backed "roadmap" peace plan.

They include an evacuation of most of the Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, as well as the ongoing construction of a separation barrier with the West Bank, where some settlements could also be abandoned.

The Palestinians have said they are not against Israel withdrawing from the occupied territories, but deplore that Sharon is taking unilateral steps and fear they could affect future negotiations for a final status agreement.

Sharon's top aide Dov Weisglass was due to fly to Washington on Sunday to present the plan to the US administration, while its opponents in the Israeli cabinet, including right-wingers, were also lobbying US officials. Israeli military officials reportedly suggested that a Gaza withdrawal would not be completed before September 2005. -AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Dangerous law
17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

OUR political leaders never seem to learn from their mistakes. The Punjab Assembly is due to vote on a new ...
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...
Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...