Israel Likely to Withdraw Prior to Powell's Arrival

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 08, 2002

Israel Likely to Withdraw Prior to Powell's Arrival

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Israel will likely withdraw from Palestinian cities which it has recently occupied prior to the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in the Jewish state on Friday, said an Israeli diplomatic source Sunday evening.

Powell is to arrive in Israel on Friday and leave the Jewish state Saturday night, said the source.

Powell is expected to hold talks with Israeli leaders on Friday and Palestinian officials on Saturday, and he will meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat if "conditions permit," the source added.

U.S. President George W. Bush has called on Israel to withdraw from Palestinian cities "without delay," but Israeli leaders said at a cabinet meeting on Sunday that the Israeli army needs more time to carry out its operations in Palestinian territories.

"If the army leaves Palestinian areas earlier, the price will be higher for its possible return," said Chief of General Staff of the Israeli army Shaul Mofaz at the meeting, adding that the Israeli army needs between four and eight weeks to complete its operations.

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