The US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell has backed Israel's demand that the Palestinian Authority arrests and tries those responsible for trying to smuggle weapons aboard a ship in the Red Sea.
In an interview with reporters, Mr Powell also described Israel's recent actions in the Gaza Strip as a defensive response to a Palestinian provocation. "If President Arafat does not take action against those who arranged the arms shipment, it would complicate enormously relations between Arafat and the United States," he added. Last night Israel said it was suspending ties with the Palestinian Authority until the Palestinians make the arrests it is demanding. "For the Israeli government to demand that those responsible be brought to justice is a very reasonable demand if Mr Arafat can determine who they are," Mr Powell said.