Arafat presides over security meeting for Palestinian police, security chiefs

The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat on Wednesday evening presided over a meeting for leaders of the Palestinian police and security departments.

The Israeli Hebrew Language radio quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Arafat gave his instructions in order to help the American envoy Anthony Zinni complete his mission and provides it a success.

On the other hand, the Israeli radio said that the US secretary of state Colin Powell asked Arafat to announce by his own voice that the "martyrdom operations" negatively affect his intention to found a Palestinian state.

Powell declared that the American envoy Anthony Zinni will stay in the region until a cease- fire agreement is achieved.