Palestinians, Israelis agree on ceasefire, restart talks

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said that Palestinians and Israelis had agreed on a ceasefire and to start negotiations four weeks later.

The Egyptian leader, who was speaking following a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, said that Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told him in a message that Israel would start measures to ease suffering of Palestinians.

The message was conveyed by Peres who arrived in Cairo earlier in the day, Sunday, for a brief visit.

"If this is implemented of restoring it will raise hopes of restoring stabitlity and protecting all people, Palestinians and Israelis," Mubarak told reporters.

He added that he had discussed with Peres an Egyptian -Jordanian initiative for peace and that some points of the overture were mentioned in Sharon's message.

Asked if the initiative would be amended, Mubarak said, "Amendments are a process related to Egypt and Jordan. We cannot say we agreed or reject unless we agree with the other partner. "