AL QUDS, June 20: Israel has been holding extensive talks with officials from the United Arab Emirates about opening a liaison office in Abu Dhabi, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

While Israel has had links with Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, it has never had contacts with the UAE. However in Abu Dhabi, an Emirati source knocked down the story as "Israeli propaganda".

"Israel is trying to gain some assets for the so-called Gaza separation plan," said the source. Haaretz newspaper said the mooted office would stop short of having full diplomatic status, but the authorities in Abu Dhabi would "agree to a quiet presence of Israeli diplomats on site" who would officially be the representatives of a foreign company.

Israeli army radio said that negotiations involving lawyers were already at an advanced stage and were now concentrating on issues such as security and location. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has also sent envoys to other Gulf states about the possibility of opening similar missions as part of a bid to improve relations with the Arab world after the Israeli cabinet approved a pullout from the Gaza Strip, the radio added.

A foreign ministry source said that it was "premature" to talk about the prospects of opening an office in Abu Dhabi but confirmed to AFP that the government was "sending messages" to the Arab world to drum up support for the Gaza pullout plan. -AFP