The Israeli government has said that a top-level security meeting between Israel and the Palestinians will take place in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Friday. The Israeli spokesman said that there would be a US official present at the meeting, but gave no further details. There was no immediate confirmation from the Palestinian side. CIA chief George Tenet is in the region to push for a resumption of security co-operation to bolster a fragile ceasefire.
Mr Tenet's main purpose is to talk to senior security chiefs on both sides. The Palestinians said that he will also meet their President, Yasser Arafat. The Israelis have not confirmed if, or when, he will meet the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon.
