Qurei berates US' Mid-East role

Qurei called for an immediate ceasefire

The Palestinian prime minister says the US is not doing enough to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Speaking on BBC radio, Ahmed Qurei said America would face a "real problem" if it did not intervene immediately to stop the violence.

Mr Qurei urged Israel to agree to a mutual ceasefire and renew peace talks.

The call came as Israeli troops carried out a raid in the West Bank town of Jenin. Palestinian sources said a woman was shot dead in heavy fighting.

On Monday night, Israel lifted a closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip after barring Palestinians from entering Israel since last Thursday.

The army imposed the clampdown fearing Palestinian militants were planning attacks during the Jewish festival of Purim.

If we go to the meeting and it is a failure it will be catastrophic Ahmed Qurei

Two Palestinians, both with the same name, were killed by Israeli forces on Monday.

In the West Bank town of Salfit, Israeli troops shot dead 34-year-old grocer Khalid Mahdi, having entered the town to arrest the dead man's neighbour, residents said.

In Gaza, Palestinian security sources said a 16-year-old schoolboy Khalid Mahdi was killed by Israeli gunfire as he was helping his father on the family's farm.

'Situation deteriorating'

The Palestinian prime minister told the BBC that if the Americans wanted to bring an end to the conflict they had to become more involved.

"They are not giving the attention we want because the situation is deteriorating day by day.

Mr Qurei said he wanted the US "to put the roadmap [peace plan] in front of the parties to be implemented and to be respected and to bring the peace process back on track. They know how to do it if they want".

The prime minister said he was "not against meeting" his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon, but, he said, any such meeting had to succeed.

A failure, he said, would be "catastrophic. It will add to the frustration. But if the outcome is positive, it can be the beginning of a real breakthrough in the peace process".

Code of conduct

Meanwhile the Israeli defence ministry is reported to have approved a plan to improve the way Palestinians are dealt with at roadblocks in the West Bank.

Israel Radio said proposals include a new code of conduct for soldiers, as well as new technological devices to identify suspects and the creation of a special lane for ambulances and dignitaries.

Israel set up dozens of roadblocks to stop Palestinian militants from infiltrating Israel after violence erupted in September 2000.

Palestinians have complained the obstacles cripple movement around the West Bank and harm their economy.

Correspondents say the new measures signal that travel restrictions on Palestinians will not be lifted any time soon.