US expects Israel not to harm Palestinian leader Arafat

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 23, 2004

US expects Israel not to harm Palestinian leader Arafat

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The United States expected Israel not to harm Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after the killing of Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Yassin, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said at a news briefing on Monday.

"The Israelis have said before that they do not intend to harm Mr. Arafat's person. We think that is important pledge, and we would expect them to stand by that," Boucher said.

Boucher appealed for all parties to keep calm and avoid further tension.

"I have said that we are looking for all the parties to exercise restraint, we are looking at all the parties to do everything possible to avoid actions that can further escalate the tension in the region," Boucher said when asked if the Untied States had asked Israel not to target any more leaders of Hamas.

Israeli missile strike killed Hamas founder Sheik Yassin with seven other people early Monday as he left a mosque in the Gaza Strip. The killing has sparked violent demonstrations throughout Gaza and Hamas has vowed to revenge.

It is reported that after Yassin's killing, Arafat has expressed concern that he might also be targeted by Israel.

"Arafat feels he is threatened, and we feel he is threatened because when they target Sheik Yassin, they are not far from Arafat," Palestinian Communications Minister Azzam Ahmed reportedly said.

So far there has been no sign that Israel will attack Arafat, who has not left his West Bank headquarters for nearly two years.

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

Islamic Jihad: Israeli assassination of Yassin opens door to war

Hamas founder Yassin killed in Israeli air strike

PNA condemns Yassin killing

Indian navy to have two aircraft carriers by 2011 ( 4 Messages)

What's the meaning of Bush & Blair nominated as candidates for Nobel Peace Prize? ( 31 Messages)

Study: Americans eating themselves to death ( 7 Messages)

Japanese PM's remark on shrine visit leads to long-term cold relations with China: Kyodo ( 10 Messages)

French Presidents' China complex ( 4 Messages)