Arafat rejects Israeli land proposals

The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, has rejected Israeli proposals that would leave large areas of the West Bank in Israeli hands in any final peace agreement.

He was responding to an Israeli Cabinet decision this week to retain control of at least half the West Bank.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, says the land is vital to protect Israel's national interests.

But the Palestinians are insisting that Israel keep to existing agreements.

Mr Arafat and Mr Netanyahu are to hold separate talks with President Clinton next week in an effort to break the current deadlock.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service