Rice promotes peace plan in Israel

Ms Rice has avoided public comments during her trip

US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice has met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to push for more progress on the US-backed peace plan known as the roadmap.

Israeli Army Radio said they discussed details of a proposed army pullback in Gaza, easing restrictions on Palestinians, prisoner releases and the possibility of rebuilding Gaza airport.

Ms Rice's visit comes amid signs of progress towards implemention of the roadmap, but correspondents say both sides' positions have conditions attached and further problems have arisen in the past 24 hours.

Palestinian factions have had to postpone an expected joint truce declaration because of infighting within the mainstream Fatah faction, officials said.

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An end to militant attacks on Israelis is a key component of the roadmap peace plan - although Israel, with American backing, is seeking a complete dismantling of militant organisations.

Members of the Fatah Central Committee are discussing how to bring the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades on board to sign up to the proposed three month truce.

In a separate initiative, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat dispatched negotiations chief Saeb Erekat to try to persuade the jailed leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Saadat, to sign up to the ceasefire.

The largest Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has accepted the truce proposal, but - as BBC Jerusalem correspondent Barbara Plett points out - Hamas cannot be seen to give up armed resistance if the al-Aqsa Martyrs carry on.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian security officials have been discussing the details of an Israel pullback from parts of Gaza - which the Palestinian side said would start on Monday.

The first section of the fence is due for completion next month

During her talks with Mr Sharon and his ministers, Ms Rice is reported to have criticised the building of a fence around Palestinian areas in the West Bank which Israel says is to stop militant attacks.

The fence is "presents difficulties", Ms Rice is quoted by Israel Radio as saying, which the US administration views as "an attempt to demarcate a political border" preempting any negotiated settlement.

Israeli ministers insisted that the 350-kilometre (210-mile) fence was solely for security purposes and would not back down on its construction.

Truce 'imminent'

Ms Rice held four hours of "very positive" talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas - also known as Abu Mazen - on Saturday, Palestinian officials said.

ROADMAP MAIN POINTS

Phase 1 (to May 2003): End to violence against Israelis and Palestinians; Palestinian political reform; Israeli withdrawal and freeze on settlement expansion; Palestinian elections

Phase 2: (June-Dec 2003) Creation of an independent Palestinian state; international conference and international monitoring of compliance with roadmap

Phase 3 (2004-2005): Second international conference; permanent status agreement and end of conflict; agreement on final borders, Jerusalem, refugees and settlements; Arab states to agree to peace deals with Israel

During the meeting in the West Bank town of Jericho, Abu Mazen accepted an invitation to the White House in the coming days, according to Palestinian officials.

He would be the first Palestinian leader at the White House for three years; President Bush has shunned Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat, accusing him of being "compromised by terror", while the Israeli prime minister has been invited there several times.

Officials said Ms Rice had responded positively to Palestinian concerns, agreeing on the importance of Israeli withdrawals from all Palestinian areas as soon as possible.

Palestinian cabinet minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said Abu Mazen also urged Ms Rice to press the Israelis to release Palestinian prisoners.

Ms Rice's mission, which follows a visit to the region last week by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, has been buoyed by the Palestinian militants' decision to declare a truce.

Our correspondent says that Washington may be pressing Israel to give the Palestinians a chance to make the truce arrangement work as the best way of achieving progress on the roadmap.