Occupied Jerusalem: 9 September, 2002 (IAP News)

A high-ranking Palestinian Authority official is expected to meet with Zionist Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the coming days, the Israeli state-run radio said Monday.

The radio quoted unnamed Palestinian sources in Ramallah as saying that the Palestinian official in question was Mahmoud Abbas, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mazen.

There were reports on Monday that United States and Zionist regime were pressurizing the ostracized Palestinian leadership to appoint the dovish Abu Mazen as Prime Minister.

Sharon told Israel’s public radio Sunday that he was planning to meet with a high-ranking Palestinian official.

Sharon also opined that “a breakthrough with the Palestinians was in the horizons.”

PA officials described Sharon’s statements as “misleading and mendacious.”

PA spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina accused Sharon of public relations maneuvering, saying the Israeli premier was only trying to give himself an image of moderation.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation army kept up most Palestinians in the West Bank and collective house arrest.

In some towns, such as Nablus, tens of thousands of school boys and girls were not allowed to reach their schools.

The curfew on al-Khalil and Qalqilya was lifted Monday for a few hours but is expected to be reinstated in the afternoon.

Israeli troops also continued to arrest Palestinian youths on suspicion of involvement in the resistance against Israeli occupation and apartheid.

An Israeli occupation army spokesman said ten more Palestinians were arrested in Ramallah, al-Khalil and Tulkarm overnight.

There are over 8000 Palestinians languishing in Israeli detention camps without charge or trial.

The apartheid Israeli regime views all aspects and forms of Palestinian resistance against Israel’s 35-year-old military occupation as terror and incitement.