The Israeli foreign minister, Ariel Sharon, has warned that Israel could annex parts of the West Bank if the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, unilaterally declares an independent state next May.

And he said President Clinton was giving the Palestinians false hopes by visiting Gaza next week.

The American secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, said the visit to Gaza and Israel was a commitment made under October's Wye River agreement - it did not mean the Washington was moving towards recognising a future Palestinian state.

The United States' chief negotiator for the Middle East, Dennis Ross, is travelling to Israel to prepare for Mr Clinton's visit.