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Arafat Calls on Powell to Push Forward Mideast Peace Process
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat called Monday on US Secretary of State Colin Powell to push forward the stalled Middle East peace process.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with US Consul-General in Jerusalem Ronald Schlicher, Arafat expressed hope that Powell will use his Mideast tour next week to advance the peace process.
Powell will visit Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Palestinian self-rule areas, Jordan, Syria and Kuwait next week for talks on key issues in the region.
This will be his first tour in the region since the new US administration of President George W. Bush took office last month.
The Mideast peace process has been stalled since the Palestinians and Israel failed to reach an accord last month after marathon negotiations at Egypt's Sinai resort of Taba.
The prospect of the peace process became more grave after leader of Israel's hardline Likud Party Ariel Sharon was elected prime minister on February 6.
Meanwhile, Powell is expected to hold talks with a high-ranking Palestinian team in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the peace process, the developments in the Palestinian territories and his upcoming visit, according to a senior Palestinian official.
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