Israel frees 159 Palestinians

Israel freed 159 Palestinian prisoners yesterday as a gesture to Egypt and moderate new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, but he called for a "serious release" of thousands of security detainees.

Mr Abbas, trying to persuade Palestinian militants to stop fighting to help revive talks on Palestinian statehood with Israel, has made prisoner releases part of his campaign for a January 9 presidential election to elect a successor to Yasser Arafat who died last month.

Detainees freed to tearful reunions with relatives kissed the ground and flashed V-for-victory signs. Cars honked horns and carried some prisoners around in a celebratory procession.

Palestinian leaders welcomed the release of 113 men jailed for security offences and 46 for illegally entering Israel, but said the move fell far short of their demands.

Most Palestinians regard jailed compatriots as heroes of their struggle for independence, and a broader prisoner release could strengthen Mr Abbas's hand to rein in militants who reject a ceasefire, with some sworn to destroying Israel.

Many of those freed were nearing the end of their sentences and had been jailed for membership in militant groups. Few had taken part in armed attacks on Israelis.

"I respect the release of every prisoner, but we need a serious release process," Mr Abbas told reporters in Ramallah.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie called for all "political prisoners" to be freed.

More than 7,000 Palestinians - from teenagers up to the former mainstream Fatah movement leader in the West Bank, Marwan Barghouthi - are imprisoned in Israel, their numbers swollen since a revolt broke out in occupied territories four years ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had promised the release to President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt after it freed an alleged Israeli spy jailed in 1997. Mr Mubarak, a key regional mediator, had also sought Israeli signals of goodwill to bolster Mr Abbas.

"We look forward to renewing a dialogue with our Palestinian neighbours, and in this framework there is the possibility of further prisoner releases if of course Palestinians work to meet their commitment to stop terrorism and engage in reforms," Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner told Reuters.

Many of the 7,000 in jail are being held for involvement in suicide bombings and ambush attacks or suspected support roles. Some have been detained indefinitely without trial.

Israel has vowed not to free prisoners with "blood on their hands" - those jailed, according to Israel, for planning or carrying out attacks that have killed Israelis.

Buses carried the released Palestinians from two prisons in Israel to several border crossings with the West Bank and Gaza.

"I'm happy to be reunited with my family but sad to leave behind my compatriots with long-term sentences, including women and teenagers. Priority should be given to releasing them," said ex-prisoner Mohammed Hmeidan just outside Ramallah.

Israel has sized up Mr Abbas as a man it can do business with after years of boycotting Mr Arafat, who it accused of instigating violence. It plans to lift roadblocks on occupied land to ensure Palestinians can vote in an election Mr Abbas is likely to win.

In the West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli forces shot dead a wanted Fatah militant after he tried to race off in his car to avoid arrest, military sources said.

But violence has abated in most areas since Mr Arafat died. Mediators hope to capitalise on Mr Sharon's plan to evacuate the Gaza Strip next year as a springboard to a final peace deal.

Israel's cabinet will move up a vote to authorise a start to the pullout from March to as early as next month after the attorney general advised Mr Sharon he had to give settlers at least six months' notice, officials said.

State officials have said Mr Sharon hoped to set the phased evacuation in motion in June and complete it by end September.