Annan calls on Israel to end Arafat's confinement

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to Israel to lift "the virtual house arrest" imposed on Arafat.

"The destruction of the Palestinian Authority infrastructure will only increase the difficulty it has in meeting both its political and its security commitments," Annan told a meeting of the U.N. Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

Arafat says his ability to rein in militants is hampered by army blockades on Palestinian areas.

Since last December, Arafat is blocked in Ramallah by the Israeli army. Requirement of a major improvement in the situation should be linked to political initiatives meant to enable the parties resume negotiations, Annan told the commission 25 members.

He also deplored that almost half of the Palestinians are living below poverty line and have reached an unprecedented level of hopelessness.