Ross focuses on security

Ross Starts Fresh Round of Middle East Diplomacy

Mr Ross says his mission is to establish effective security relations between Israel and the Palestinians. The Israeli prime minister is reported to have told Mr Ross there could be no progress until the Palestinian Authority took stronger action against Islamic militants -- a demand first made after last month's suicide bombings in Jerusalem.

Ross and Netanyahu: security first

The attacks completely halted the peace process which was already in disarray over Israel's decision to build new settlements. Palestinian officials say their talks with Mr Ross did not focus solely on security.

The Palestinians say they are ready to do more in co-operating on security with the Israelis, but they want a more direct US involvement. They are also demanding that Israel show a clearer willingness to address the issues of immediate concern to them, namely the lifting of the closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the deeply sensitive issue of settlements and the confiscation of Arab land.

Palestinians demand halt to settlements on disputed land

Mr Arafat has struck a defiant tone: he said that the Israeli government knew perfectly well that the Palestinian Authority was making a 100 percent effort in combating violent attacks by militant groups. But Israel continued to demand even tougher action -- even though, he said, the Israeli authorities had told him that the bombers had come from abroad.

More Lebanon Clashes

Hezbollah fighters are said to have fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at an Israeli patrol, whose dead and wounded were evacuated bu helicopter.

Israeli artillery gunners rained shells on Hezbollah strongholds outside the border zone in retaliation.

Two Israeli helicopters also raked valleys used by guerrillas to infiltrate the occupied zone with heavy machine-gun fire, Lebanese police said. One fired wire-guided rockets at a forest next to the zone.

The latest clashes came as the international committee monitoring a ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon met to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the area.

Over the past week at least 15 people have been killed in clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.