Israeli army leaves Ramallah

There was Palestinian delight as the Israelis left

Israeli forces have completed their withdrawal from the ravaged compound of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah following a deal transferring six Palestinians to international custody.

The pull-out means an end of Mr Arafat's confinement in Ramallah where tanks besieged his headquarters for more than a month.

The extent of the fire damage is not yet known

In his first public comments after the withdrawal, an emotional Mr Arafat condemned the continuing stand-off at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where renewed clashes broke out during Wednesday night.

Heavy exchanges of gunfire and explosions were heard, and a fire broke out inside the church complex. The fighting has now ceased and the fire been extinguished.

Just hours after the Ramallah withdrawal, Israeli tanks and troops swept into the West Bank town of Tulkarm, searching houses and mosques.

The army said troops had arrested five people suspected of attacks against Israelis.

Emotions high

Israel had refused to withdraw its tanks from the Ramallah compound, where they had been for more than a month, as long as he sheltered the six.

The deadlock over the prisoners, who are wanted by Israel, was broken at the weekend after a proposal to put the men in US and British custody.

Diplomatic vehicles carrying the men left Ramallah under cover of darkness after a delay reported to have been caused by the need for identity checks.

Arafat expressed outrage in his first public remarks

According to witnesses, emotions were high as the prisoners, mostly in handcuffs, left the compound after handshakes and awkward embraces from those left behind, the French news agency AFP said.

The convoy was escorted by Israeli police force cars on the brief journey to the West Bank town of Jericho where the men will be held in jail under US and UK supervision.

Minister's 'murderers'

Four of the six were convicted by a makeshift Palestinian court of the killing of Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi last October.

The other two are Ahmed Saadat - leader of the militant group that carried out the assassination - and Fuad Shobaki, who Israel claims was behind a foiled arms shipment in January.

Two more people left the Church on Wednesday

Hundreds of Jericho residents are reported to have turned out to greet the men and cheer them when they arrived.

The handover of the men should mean Mr Arafat will be allowed to move freely in the Palestinian territories after being confined by Israeli forces to Ramallah for five months.

Later in an interview with ABC's Nightline programme Mr Arafat reaffirmed his commitment to peace paying tribute to slain Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin

"I can't forget that the peace agreement that I had signed with my partner Rabin - my partner Rabin had given his life for the peace agreement, which I had signed with him," Mr Arafat said. "I cannot betray him after his death".

Bethlehem fighting

The BBC's Clare Marshall in Bethlehem said the heaviest exchange of fire was taking place since the incursion and siege began a month ago.

Heavy machine gun rounds, tank shells and rifle shots could be heard, with the Palestinians inside the church returning fire.

The Israelis pulled back after a month in Ramallah

A fire started in the church complex, which was reportedly sparked by flares fired by the Israeli army.

But Israeli government spokesman Dore Gold denied that its troops started the fire, claiming it was an "act of arson" by Palestinians in the church.

The fire burned for about half an hour and three people were slightly burned as they battled to douse the flames.

Mr Arafat expressed outrage at the clashes dubbing the Israelis "terrorists" for the fire.

"How could the world possibly be silent about this atrocious crime?" he said - shouting and pounding the table in front of him.

Several days of peace negotiations have failed to end the stand-off, although nearly 30 people have emerged and surrendered from the Church compound this week

More than 200 people have been trapped for four weeks, including about 30 armed Palestinians wanted by Israel.