Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has rejected the maps on the 5 percent Israeli troop withdrawal from the West Bank which is scheduled for on November 15.

However, the "Voice of Palestine" radio reported Friday, Arafat is still studying the maps "carefully." He has been contemplating the maps since Thursday night.

Arafat was angered by the proposed nature reserve in the maps, which would be handed to the PNA, was within the desolate Judia dessert. He demanded that the nature reserve, representing 2.8 percent of the area, should be in an important area.

The maps were brought by Oded Eran, chief Israeli negotiator, to his Palestinian counterpart Saeb Erekat during their meeting in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Eran and Major General Shlomo Yenai, chief of the planning division of the Israeli army, met Friday with Arafat to brief him on the maps.

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak sent his special envoy to Gaza in an effort to convince Arafat to agree to the maps. However, according to Israelis, they do not have to get Arafat's endorsement before executing the maps.

It is expected that Arafat would bring up the issue during his meeting with Israeli Public Security Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami later Friday in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

According to the maps, Israel will hand over 2 percent of the West Bank to full Palestinian civil security jurisdiction and subject another 3 percent to joint control with the Israeli side.

Territories under Palestinian control and joint control are mostly near the town of Jenin, Tolkarm, Ramallah, Hebron and Nabulus.