Israeli police on Monday arrested independent Palestinian presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouti as he campaigned in East Jerusalem, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

Mustafa Barghouti, a distant second behind chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Mahmoud Abbas, was taken into custody while preparing for an election rally in East Jerusalem, said the report, adding that he was released some two hours later.

Israeli police said Barghouti had a permit to pass through the city, but did not have a permit to remain in Jerusalem.

The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved a pack of measures in an effort to ensure a smooth Palestinian presidential election on Jan.9, including a gradual withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers from the West Bank cities, granting Palestinians freedom of movement and allowing candidates to campaign in East Jerusalem.

However, a Jerusalem police spokeswoman said Palestinian candidates can campaign in East Jerusalem only if they coordinate their moves in advance with security officials, something Barghouti failed to do.

Israel has allowed Arab residents of East Jerusalem to take part in the vote via an absentee ballot at five post offices in the city, as was the case in the previous Palestinian presidential election in 1996.

Source: Xinhua