RAMALLAH, Nov 10: The Palestinian leadership called on Sunday for a “binding timeline” on an international peace plan to set up a state, as two Palestinian would-be suicide bombers blew themselves up in northern Israel after being spotted by police.

The leadership said it wanted international observers deployed in the territories to oversee implementation of the plan, which foresees an independent Palestinian state in three years.

“It is not possible to go forward as long as (Jewish) settlements are expanding on our land,” said a leadership statement after a cabinet meeting chaired by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.

“It is not possible to allow the peace process to depend on one individual or group that has no interest in peace or security,” the statement said, referring to the hardline Israeli caretaker government in power until elections in early 2003.

The “roadmap” provides for a de facto Palestinian state to be established next year with provisional borders.

It was discussed with Arab governments by US envoy William Burns during a regional tour last month.

The leadership said it wanted guarantees the plan will succeed, and “extends its hand” to any Israeli political party that wants peace.

US Mideast envoy David Satterfield is expected in Israel on Monday and later in the Palestinian territories to discuss the “roadmap” — drawn up by the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations.

Earlier on Sunday, the Palestinian cabinet provisionally welcomed the roadmap but said it needed further consultations with Arab states before giving a definitive reponse.

Israel has expressed strong reservations about the plan, which it fears could establish a Palestinian state without the strict Palestinian security and administrative reforms it insists have to be carried out before any progress can be made on the peace front.—AFP