Palestinian leader asserts himself

Arafat told his forces to prevent "terrorist operations"

Analysis
By Paul Reynolds BBC Middle East analyst

The Palestinian Authority has reportedly arrested a number of Hamas activists in Gaza following the suicide bomb attack in the Israeli city of Rishon Letzion.

The arrests also followed condemnation of the bomb by the Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

It appears that Yasser Arafat will survive as a political leader though without the recognition of his old Israeli opponent

His future was discussed by the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with President Bush in Washington.

It looks as if the Palestinian Authority is trying to restore its authority over Islamic extremist groups, though its actions are unlikely to stop a strong Israeli military move against Hamas in Gaza.

But the arrests and the statement of condemnation from Mr Arafat - which twice referred to attacks on Israeli civilians as "terrorist acts" - do indicate that Mr Arafat is trying to counter Israeli moves to marginalise him.

Major player

For the moment, the Israeli prime minister is not seeking his expulsion, but he wants to bypass him in favour of a more compliant Palestinian leadership.

Israeli officials are saying that Mr Bush agreed that reforms within the Palestinian Authority should precede any further political talks.

The Israelis want those reforms to include Mr Arafat's removal either altogether or to a ceremonial position.

But Washington is still indicating that Mr Arafat is a major player and President Bush even praised his statement on the Rishon Letzion bombing as "an incredibly positive sign".

So it appears that Mr Arafat will survive as a political leader though without the recognition of his old Israeli opponent.

All this leaves future relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority unclear.

There might be some indications of future co-operation or otherwise when CIA Director George Tenet starts his visit, next week it seems, to begin the process of rebuilding a Palestinian security structure.