Mofaz: PA may receive security responsibility before pullout

Israel may consider giving the Palestinian Authority security responsibility for the territories before its planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Monday.

"I am prepared to transfer responsibility in the Gaza Strip even before implementation of the pullout plan... and more so, on the day the Palestinians will be ready to take responsibility over cities in the West Bank, I am convinced we must transfer authority in these places before, or during the pullout, but only if they stop the terror that is coming out of Jenin and Nablus." Mofaz said at the Herzliya Conference.

Mofaz also said that Israel Defense Forces troops will be pulled out of Palestinian cities ahead of the January 9 elections in the Palestinian Authority.

"We will leave the Palestinian cities for a period of about 72 hours, that is the day before, the day of and the day after the election," Mofaz said.

"We will do our best not to interfere with orderly procedure of the election," he added.

Mofaz stressed that the implementation of the disengagement plan was the "basis for a future interim agreement," due to the absence of a possibility to reach a permanent agreement at present. Mofaz said an interim agreement could reestablish trust between the sides, could lead to a dismantling of terror infrastructure and end incitement.

Mofaz's speech was the first time that Israel has provided details on how will make good on its promise to facilitate the vote.

But Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said IDF troops should withdraw from Palestinian towns immediately to enable candidates to campaign. Israel should also lift travel bans on Palestinians and remove checkpoints, Erekat said.

"I urge Mr. Mofaz and urge the Israeli government to take the high ground and to really open the cities and towns from today," Erekat said.

	Shaul Mofaz: We will do our best not to interfere with orderly procedure of the election. (Olivier Fitoussi/BauBau)