Arafat Given 12 Hours to Arrest Militants

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 06, 2001

Arafat Given 12 Hours to Arrest Militants

Israel has demanded the arrest of 36 Palestinian militants and given leader Yasser Arafat just 12 hours to comply, ABC reports Thursday.

Israel has demanded the arrest of 36 Palestinian militants and given leader Yasser Arafat just 12 hours to comply, ABC reports Thursday.

The Government says if those on the list are not rounded up in time, the army will resume its attacks on Palestinian targets.

Mr Arafat was told of the deadline by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, in a telephone conversation.

The Palestinian leader said his security forces could not move to make the arrests because of fear of Israeli bombing.

So now, he has just 12 hours in which his men will be given free rein.

Mr Arafat has accused the Israelis of attempting to sabotage attempts to jail militants and undermine his authority.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman earlier said Mr Arafat was finished and it was time for a new Palestinian leader.

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