Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he regrets promising the United States he would not harm Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat.
In interview excerpts published today, Mr Sharon said US President George W. Bush had asked him, at the start of every meeting, that Israel not harm Mr Arafat or expel him from the Palestinian territories.
"Perhaps my agreement was correct at the beginning but at a certain stage of the clashes it became an error. I should have said to them (the Americans) I cannot stand by this commitment", Mr told the Yedioth Ahronothnewspaper.
In another interview, Mr Sharon told the Maarivdaily: "I should have gone to the Americans and requested his (Arafat's) removal from the area.
The full interviews will be published in both newspapers tomorrow in special issues for the Jewish Passover holiday.
Palestinian Information Minister Mr Yasser Abed Rabbo called Mr Sharon's remarks criminal and insane.
In an interview with Maarivtwo months ago, Sharon said he regretted not having killed Mr Arafat in 1982 when Israeli forces besieged the Palestinian leader in Beirut.