Israeli tanks roll into Nablus

Israeli troops entered the West Bank city of Nablus early today, as diplomats began talks with the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat about reforming his regime.

Palestinian officials said that Mr Arafat had signed a framework for a constitution granting basic rights to his people and regulating his regime.

The Israeli troops entered Nablus in about 40 tanks and armoured personnel carriers, surrounding the Balata camp, headquarters of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade militia, linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.

Israeli forces arrested the Fatah leader in Nablus, Issam Abu Bark, one of the top political figures in the city, Palestinians said.

The Israeli military said its forces entered Nablus and the Balata camp "in the wake of recent murderous attacks." In a statement, the military said a curfew was imposed, two Palestinians were arrested and the operation was continuing. Israeli forces also entered the town of Qalqiliya.

Residents said Palestinians set off two mines under Israeli tanks, and the tanks fired five shells, knocking out electricity in the eastern part of Nablus. A helicopter fired a missile at the camp, witnesses said.

The Al Aqsa group claimed responsibility for two recent attacks — Tuesday's infiltration of a nearby Jewish settlement, in which three Israeli teen-gers were shot and killed, and a suicide bomb attack in Petach Tivkah on Monday, killing an Israeli woman and her granddaughter.

Hours earlier, Israeli forces pulled out of the West Bank town of Bethlehem after holding it in a tight grip for four days. In a statement confirming the withdrawal, the Israeli military said 42 Palestinians were arrested.

Mr Arafat signed the Basic Law on Tuesday, but Palestinian officials did not confirm that until diplomats were on their way to Ramallah today.

US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns expressed support for negotiations that would result in a Palestinian state and "supporting Palestinian efforts to build strong institutions," a reference to the demands for reforms.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer also met Mr Arafat and over the weekend, CIA Director George Tenet is to begin a mission aimed at restructuring the myriad and competing Palestinian security services.

Mr Arafat said "we have already started" the reform process, noting that he had signed the basic law and others governing the judiciary and banking systems.

Palestinians complained that his regime appeared powerless either to stop the Israelis or fix the damage they caused. Polls have consistently shown that many people are dissatisfied with the regime because of corruption, nepotism, inefficiency and flaunting of its own laws.

The Basic Law, a kind of framework for a constitution, is designed to answer some of the complaints. The Palestinian Legislative Council passed the measure in 1997, but Arafat never signed it, setting off years of complaints by frustrated lawmakers.

Among its main points are regular elections for president, a ban on censorship or intimidation of news media, an independent judicial system and a separation of powers among the executive, legislative and judicial branches.