Arafat tells Egyptian intelligence chief PA is ready to take over in Gaza Strip

In the West Bank meeting between Arafat and Suleiman, Palestinians asked for Egyptian help in rebuilding their security services, said Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat. Before the meeting, Palestinian officials said Suleiman was expected to ask Arafat not to sabotage Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to pull out of Gaza.

Arafat told Suleiman that Palestinians are prepared to take control of Gaza once the Israelis leave, according to an Arafat aide.

Suleiman also met on Monday with Sharon. Israeli officials had no comment on the outcome of their meeting.

A Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Sharon and Suleiman were expected to discuss new security arrangements between the two countries after a Gaza pullback. The two countries need to review their border agreements and provide for the possible entry of Egyptian military advisers to Gaza to help train Palestinian police, the official said.

Suleiman is involved in attempts to reach inter-Palestinian understanding between the PA, Fatah and other organizations, among them Hamas and Islamic Jihad, on running the Gaza Strip in the event of an Israeli pullout.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/431326.html