Israeli government sources confirmed Wednesday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will probably meet next Tuesday.

Local newspaper Ha'aretz on its online edition quoted the sources as saying that the final date and the agenda for the two leaders' meeting will be set in a preparatory meeting on Thursday between Sharon's senior advisor Dov Weissglas and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Jordan announced that Sharon and Abbas have agreed to meet on Oct. 11 after mediation by Jordan's King Abdullah II in separate phone talks with the two sides.

The king's office said in a statement that "following the good offices of King Abdullah to push forward the peace process, the Palestinian president and the Israeli prime minister will meet Oct. 11 to find a solution to pending problems."

The last time Sharon and Abbas met was on June 21, weeks ahead of the Israel's disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

They were supposed to meet on Oct. 2 again, but the summit was cancelled due to a flare-up in violence in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip after the disengagement.

While confirming the possible new summit date announced by Amman, the Israeli government sources noted that after both Israeli and Palestinian present their positions in the Erekat- Weisglass meeting, Israel will consider possible steps toward the Palestinians.

The sources estimated that Sharon will not approve handing PNA security forces more weapons, adding that other topics that will be raised by Israel will include renewing talks on the operation of the crossings between the PNA and Israel, the future of the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Egypt's Sinai peninsular and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel also wishes to raise its demand from the Palestinians to fight terrorism and its opposition to have radical Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) run in the Palestinian general elections next January.

On Oct. 20, Abbas is slated to arrive in Washington for a visit. It is believed that both Israel and the Palestinians wish to show progress on the diplomatic channels before Abbas' visit.

Source: Xinhua