Israeli Inner Cabinet Approves Maps on Withdrawal

Israeli Security Cabinet Wednesday approved in Jerusalem the revised maps for the promised but delayed Israeli troops withdrawal from another 6.1 percent of the West Bank.

Prime Minister Ehud Barak's office said that the maps was endorsed by a vote of five to three, with one abstention.

The revised maps of the withdrawal that should have taken place on January 20 were hammered out Monday after talks between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators.

The maps will be submitted to the full cabinet for approval on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian peace negotiator said on Wednesday he expected Israel to carry out a long-delayed handover of more West Bank land to full Palestinian control on Sunday.

"The redeployment will take place on Sunday," negotiator Saeb Erekat said that maps of the handover of an additional 6.1 percent of the West Bank were approved late on Tuesday in a meeting between Erekat and his Israeli counterpart Oded Eran.

Erekat said that, contrary to Israeli media reports, no areas near Jerusalem would be included in the handover, which is expected to win Israeli cabinet approval on Sunday.

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