President Clinton is stepping up moves to broker peace in the Middle East.

The President met the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, to discuss ways of advancing the peace process.

Afterwards officials from both sides said they were working towards a meeting between Mr Arafat and the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Clinton: brokering peace

Mr Arafat has asked Mr Clinton to urge Israel to withdraw from more of the West Bank and the president supported Palestinian aspirations "to live as a free people."

But Washington sources say Mr Clinton also warned Mr Arafat he would have to take steps against terrorists in Palestinian controlled land.

Officials say the next step will be to arrange a meeting between Mr Arafat and Mr Netanyahu with US Secretary of State Madeline Albright mediating.

If the summit goes ahead negotiations will centre on the Israelis pulling back from the West Bank and the Palestinians moving against terrorism.

Bringing the two leaders together, with Albright directing their discussions, would increase American involvement in the dispute between Israel and the Palestine Authority.

Arrangements are being discussed in the hope a meeting in February can be set up, said American and Palestinian sources.

Mr Clinton said: "I want to emphasize what a critical time this is in the process and the importance of both parties meeting their obligations."

Ms Albright made one trip to the Middle East last year and said she would not return just to "tread water." She also met the two leaders separately in Europe.

State Department spokesman, James P. Rubin, said: "He (Arafat) needs to understand the linkage between any movement forward by the Israelis and the question of security."

Mr Clinton is promoting a plan that would have Israel cede small parcels of land in phases while the Palestinians take matching steps against terrorists, including prosecution and long-term jailing of murder suspects.

Mr Rubin added: "Clearly, both sides have a lot of work to do if we're going to get the peace process back on track"
 

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