New Middle East summit in Egypt

Reports say the leaders of Israel, Egypt and the Palestinians are to meet tomorrow, as efforts intensify to reach a peace settlement in the Middle East.

Israeli radio said the summit was agreed in a late-night conversation between the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.

It will take place in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Israelis and the Palestinians have been working hard to decide their response to the latest proposals put forward by the United States.

The chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said the Palestinians needed to see how the details translated onto maps.

American officials hope a deal might be reached by the end of President Clinton's administration next month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service