The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, has been briefing North African leaders on the Middle East peace deal with Israel.

After seeing President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and the Algerian president, Liamine Zeroual, Mr Arafat discussed the accord with King Hassan in Morocco.

In Algiers, the Palestinian leader said Israel had given no guarantees that it would implement the agreement.

But he added that it was an important step forward, paving the way for the next stage -- talks on Jerusalem.

From Morocco, Mr Arafat is due to go to Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.