MIDDLE EAST: Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon lifted a ban on contacts with the Palestinians yesterday after new leader Mr Mahmoud Abbas ordered Gaza security forces to halt militant attacks on Israelis within days.
Mr Sharon's decision could revive hope for steps towards Middle East peacemaking stirred by Mr Abbas's January 9th election on a platform of ending bloodshed, but abruptly dimmed by persistent militant violence in defiance of his calls for a ceasefire.
A political source said Mr Sharon opted to restore contacts with the Palestinians after his inner cabinet "received information from intelligence sources that Hamas [ militants] were starting to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority." But Mr Sharon's office said contacts would involve only security officials for now and there would be none with Mr Abbas on diplomatic issues until after "Palestinians take real steps to stop terrorist operations and rocket and mortar fire". - (Reuters)