Israeli and Palestinian premiers met in Jerusalem on tonight in a public show of reconciliation, rededicating themselves to peace efforts.
As they spoke, armoured vehicles and trucks loaded with military gear drove out of Israeli bases near Bethlehem ahead of a planned withdrawal from the West Bank town.
The outdoor ceremony in front of the Israeli Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem had former enemies, including the Israeli defence minister and the Palestinian security chief, sitting side-by-side and chatting amicably.
It was a display of peaceful intentions that follows 33 months of bloody Palestinian-Israeli violence. Both prime ministers spoke of their joint desire for peace ahead of the talks.
It was the third such meeting in Jerusalem, but the first time that the two leaders, joined by senior Cabinet ministers and aides, made a public display of reconciliation.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas renewed their support for a US backed peace plan, and asserted their commitment to reach a peace deal.
"Prime Minister Abbas, we are facing a new opportunity today, a better future for both peoples," Mr Sharon said. "The possibility of a better future before us. I will make every effort to achieve an agreement that will lead us to peace and security."
Mr Abbas responded in kind, and said that every day without an agreement is a "an opportunity lost, every life sacrificed is a human tragedy."
The two sides were expected to reconstruct committees to discuss issues like security, finances and prisoners. The committees operated during the first years of peace efforts in the 1990s but were suspended during the current violence.
The two premiers also met in Jordan on June 4th with President George Bush for the launch of the "road map" peace plan, which leads through three stages to creation of a Palestinian state in 2005.
AFP