Leaders prepare for Mid-East summit

Hundreds have been killed in the latest wave of violence

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders have both agreed to attend a summit in Egypt on Thursday evening to discuss US proposals to end the bloodshed in the Middle East.

Yasser Arafat was the last to confirm he would attend the talks, hosted by Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak at the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in Sinai.

Reported American proposals

Israel to concede sovereignty over much of East Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa mosque

Palestinians give up the right of return for Palestinian refugees

Palestinian state on 95% of the West Bank and 100% of the Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak convened his security cabinet on Wednesday to formulate a response to US President Bill Clinton's peace plan, which reportedly covers the future status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.

But there are signs ahead of the summit that the Palestinians are not prepared to give their approval to the plan.

The blueprint, devised after three months of bloody conflict, is widely seen as the last chance for a settlement before Mr Clinton leaves office in January, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak faces a critical election in February.

Arafat: Plans to meet Barak in Egypt on Thursday

Plans for the summit had been made during an overnight telephone conversation between Mr Arafat and Mr Barak, Israeli radio reported.

A senior Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, earlier told the BBC that the Palestinians had contacted the Americans asking for clarification on parts of the peace proposal.

"The ideas presented to us when we were in Washington lack much in clarity and there are so many things that need to be answered," Mr Erekat said.

Asked whether the Palestinian leadership was ready to scale back its demand for the return of Palestinian refugees to Israel as the main Palestinian concession in the proposed deal, Mr Erekat answered: "No."

The time has come for a historic compromise, which will let us live in peace in this part of the world

Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami

He said the Palestinians continued to insist that the refugee question be answered in accordance with United Nations resolutions which underline their right of return to their homes in what is now Israeli territory.

On Monday, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said that the deal outlined by the US did not remove the "obstacles to peace".

International force

Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami said on Tuesday that any Israeli-Palestinian peace deal would require international guarantees, including "the deployment of an international force".

The ideas presented to us when we were in Washington lack much in clarity

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat

This has been a key Palestinian demand, previously rejected by Israel.

Our correspondent says Mr Ben Ami's comments are a significant step towards creating the conditions for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

Mr Ben Ami said that such a force would be stationed in the Jordan Valley, which marks the border between Jordan and the West Bank.

About 350 people have died in nearly three months of violence

"The time has come for a historic compromise, which will let us live in peace in this part of the world. This agreement will dispel the clouds of an endless war and allow the fixing of Israel's borders," Mr Ben Ami said in the same interview with Israeli public television.

More than 350 people, almost all Palestinians, have been killed since the latest wave violence began in late September 2000.

Even if Israeli and Palestinian officials agree to compromise on the key issues and reach a deal, both sides are likely to face considerable domestic opposition to a final peace deal.