Abbas seeks Bush's help to deploy Jordan-based Palestinian troops

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has sought US support for the deployment of the Jordan-based security troops in the West Bank, a demand rejected by Israel, Palestinian sources said Sunday.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) wants to bring 1,500- strong Badder battalion of the Palestine Liberation Army based in Jordan to the West Bank to boost security during the Israeli pullout from Gaza and part of the West Bank.

During talks with US President George W. Bush at the White House on Thursday, Abbas also urged him to persuade Israel to accept supplying Palestinian security forces with needed weapons to keep order during the Israeli pullout, said the sources.

Israel is to evacuate troops and settlers from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four of 120 in the West Bank from mid August.

Abbas was the first Palestinian leader to visit Washington since peace talks collapsed in September 2000.

Bush pledged a 50 million US dollar direct aid to the PNA, and demanded Israel halt settlement expansion in the West Bank in line with its obligations in the roadmap peace plan.

Source: Xinhua