Israel and Palestine have reached a consensus on a coordination mechanism for a January 9 Palestinian presidential election.

Each side has agreed to set up a commission, to coordinate and supervise all the technical and security work during the election.

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel plans to pull troops out of Palestinian cities for the election to pick a successor to Yasser Arafat.

This is the first promise of specific Israeli help to ensure the election goes smoothly. Mofaz said that troops will stay out of cities in the Palestinian territories for 72 hours.

He added that Israel will consider giving the Palestinian National Authority security responsibility for the territories before its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and some parts of the West Bank.

The same day when meeting with visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Saudi Arabian King Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz said his government and people will further support the Palestinian people's liberation cause.

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier told reporters that France wants to speed up the "roadmap" peace plan and start discussions on the final status of the Palestinian territories without delay.

Source:CRIENGLISH.com