Maher calls on Powell to translate Washington's rejection of Arafat's expulsion into action

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher has stressed the risks of the Israeli government's decision to expel Palestinian President Yasser Arafat from the occupied territories.

He said in a telephone conversation with Secretary of State Colin Powell from Rome that the US statement objecting Arafat's expulsion should be translated into action.

The US Department of State spokesman said that the US stance regarding expelling Arafat was clear, pointing out that the most important thing in this stage for all parties concerned was to honor their commitments to implementing the roadmap.

In Washington, the New York Times newspaper quoted US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice as saying that she had expressed to Israeli officials her deep concern over the Israeli decision and indicated that they disregarded her stance.

However, the US administration expressed its rejection of Arafat's expulsion from the Palestinian territories. The US administration said the Israeli decision would enhance Arafat's image. Russia warned that Israel would commit a big mistake if it expelled Arafat.

In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry called for dispatching international troops for separating the Palestinians and Israelis.