The Palestinians say they achieved much during the meeting late Friday between U.S. President George W. Bush and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud ‘Abbas.
For the first time Bush expressed his opposition to the Israeli construction of, what he called, “a wall” between the major Israeli and Palestinian cities. The Palestinians have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks in their distaste for the security buffer.
Israel will soon release a further 600 Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian Information Minister Nabil ‘Amru said, immediately after the Bush-‘Abbas parley.
‘Abbas will meet Israeli premier Ariel Sharon in the next few days, ‘Amru added.
He also announced that Palestinian Internal Security Minister Muhammad Dahlan will hold talks with Israel’s Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. They will discuss Israeli troop withdrawals from two Palestinian cities.