Israeli soldiers kill militants

The Israeli army confirms only killing one militant and injuring another

Israeli forces have killed three Palestinian militants in a refugee camp in the West Bank town of Tulkarm, Palestinian hospital officials say.

The Israeli army has confirmed that its troops killed one Palestinian and injured another in the refugee camp.

In a separate development, Israel's Labour Party on Thursday chose a list of new ministers-in- waiting.

They are expected to fill posts in a national unity government to be led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

LABOUR LIST FOR NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT Shimon Peres (probably deputy PM) Ofir Pines-Paz (probably interior minister) Yitzhak Herzog Binyamin Ben Eliezer Dalia Yitzik Matan Vilnai Shaoul Simhon Haim Ramo

Members of the 2,188-strong Labour Party central committee voted on Thursday for their list of candidates to fill seven Cabinet seats.

Correspondents say the Labour team is young and represents a change of guard at the head of the party.

The eighth minister will be Labour Party leader and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who is expected to be deputy prime minister under Mr Sharon.

The national unity government is expected to be in place within weeks.

London conference row

On Thursday, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei criticised UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's call for the Palestinian leadership to carry out reforms, as a first stage towards reviving the peace process.

Mr Qurei made his comments the day after Mr Blair left the Middle East following a flying visit during which he announced the idea of a conference to be held in London on Palestinian reform.

The meeting is expected to be held sometime next year after the Palestinian presidential election.

"We have heard ... about his wish to host a conference to groom the Palestinians to take part in the peace process," Mr Qurei said.

"We reject these unacceptable declarations, for we are already groomed and we have the necessary means and expertise to negotiate."

BBC Jerusalem correspondent James Reynolds says that Mr Qurei and others feel that Britain is forcing the Palestinians to take remedial classes in peace making.

However, there is no suggestion that the Palestinians will refuse to show up to the conference in London.

In the West Bank, also on Thursday, tens of thousands of Palestinians in 26 towns voted in the first local elections in the West Bank since 1976.

Officials said turnout could exceed 90% of the 150,000 Palestinians eligible to vote.