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Abbas, Olmert agree on ceasefire

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-26 09:04

GAZA -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Saturday night agreed on a mutual ceasefire as of 6:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) Sunday, said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, an advisor to Abbas.

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"President Abbas informed Prime Minister Olmert on telephone that Palestinian factions decided to stop firing homemade rockets at Israel starting from 6:00 a.m. Sunday," Abu Rudeineh told reporters.

He said Olmert told Abbas that he accepted the proposal and decided to stop military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Abu Rudeineh said that officials of four militant groups met with Prime Minister Ismail Haneya, and the groups agreed to stop launching rockets from the strip at Israel starting from 6:00 a.m. Sunday.

"President Abbas told Olmert that the Palestinian side is ready to be committed to calm starting from Sunday morning," Abu Rudeineh said, adding "Mr. Olmert decided to end all Israeli military operations."

Abu Rudeineh said Olmert informed Abbas that he would instruct the Israeli army to start withdrawing from northern Gaza Strip.

"All Palestinian armed wings of national and Islamic factions agreed to be committed to ending all military actions, while the Israeli army will end its military operations," said Abu Rudeineh.

He said that all Palestinian factions would start within the coming few days dialogue in order to reach a full, mutual and permanent ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.

He said that Abbas also asked Olmert to stop military operations in the West Bank "in order to protect the atmosphere of ceasefire and calm in all the Palestinian territories."