Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today set an extremely tough condition on
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat being allowed to attend tomorrow's crucial Arab summit in Beirut.
Speaking on Israeli TV, Mr Sharon called on the United States to recognise that if there were terrorist attacks while Arafat was in Lebanon, he had the right to refuse to allow him back into Palestinian territory.
"If it is said to Israel by the United States that (Israel) can refuse to allow him to return if there are terror attacks, it will be easier for me to allow him to leave," Mr Sharon said.
He also said a decision to allow Mr Arafat to go would be "easier" if there was "a declaration by Chairman Arafat, in his own voice, to his people, about a ceasefire, and a call to stop the violence."
The US has pressed Israel to allow Mr Arafat to attend the Beirut summit regardless of whether the truce efforts by US envoy Anthony Zinni succeed.
AP