Israeli Forces Pull Out of Ramallah

Israeli troops pulled out of the West Bank town of Ramallah on Wednesday, witnesses said, ending a two-day blockade of Yasser Arafat's headquarters.

The pullout came as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was returning home after telling U.S. and British leaders that Arafat is not stopping attacks.

In Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell took a different line from President Bush and Sharon, saying negotiators must "work with" Arafat. Powell said the United States is consulting other nations about setting up a provisional Palestinian state.

Palestinian leaders, unhappy with Bush's endorsement of Sharon's positions, warned it may embolden Sharon to take even tougher action against the weakened Palestinian Authority.

After sundown Wednesday, Israeli tanks rolled away from the walls surrounding Arafat's city-block-sized headquarters compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah and pulled out of the city, witnesses said. The withdrawal was complete but the troops were still surrounding the city, said a military source, speaking on condition of anoynymity.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment. The Israeli forces had moved into position early Monday, cutting off the entrances to the compound but not entering.

The Israelis said their object this time was to prevent gunmen from taking refuge in the compound. During Israel's 34-day siege of Arafat's office that ended at the beginning of May, several hundred Palestinians were trapped inside with Arafat, including many armed men.

Palestinian police and security officers celebrated in the compound as the Israelis pulled away, chanting slogans in support of Arafat.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2002)