Israel and the Palestinians plan to resume talks today aimed at breaking a deadlock over a deal for Israel's handover of four West Bank cities to Palestinian security control.
Israel had been poised to transfer the West Bank cities of Qalqiliya and Jericho to Palestinian security control as early as Monday, but the handover was temporarily shelved after a dispute arose in talks between senior security officials.
Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan said the delays came from Israel's refusal to dismantle checkpoints surrounding Palestinian cities after withdrawing.
"We want a full withdrawal without checkpoints, without blockades so that the Palestinians would feel the difference. We don't want a cosmetic withdrawal. We want a genuine one," he said.
But Israeli officials said the deadlock in talks arose over the fate of militants on Israel's wanted list. Israel wants them kept under close surveillance by Palestinian security forces.
"Before fulfilling our commitment to withdraw, there has to be a clear commitment from Palestinians that they take responsibility in these areas [so] there will not be attacks on Israeli citizens coming out of them," Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told reporters on Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Mr Sharon is to hold talks with Defence Minister Mr Shaul Mofaz and other securitychiefs today.
Israeli Army Radio said they decided Israel would demandthe Palestinian Authority arrest a number of wanted militants "with blood on their hands" in the cities slated for transfer.
Israel would also demand Palestinian forces place otherwanted men under constant surveillance after disarming them and keep Israel informed about their whereabouts, the report said.