Netanyahu denies 13 percent withdrawal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied published Israeli reports concerning his approval of an Israeli withdrawal from 13% of the West Bank's territories.

Israeli reports through government sources on Monday said that Netanyahu approved of a withdrawal from 13% of the West Bank, where this percentage will be implemented in two stages.

Netanyahu said that limited progress was achieved, but said he suggested many "new ideas" that were not discussed before to the U.S. administration, hoping that U.S. Secretary of State Albright will report them to the Palestinians for a response. Netanyahu refused to elaborate on the nature of these ideas, saying that Albright will announce these ideas after reporting them to Arafat.

U.S. Under Secretary of State Martin Indyk while speaking at an AIPAC Israeli lobby forum had said yesterday that "no agreement" was reached between the U.S. and Netanyahu.

Palestinian minister of planning, Nabil Shaath said that these declarations express the lack of seriousness of Israel toward achieving peace and confirmed his countries' abidance by the U.S. suggestions, especially the Israeli withdrawal from 13%, although it's less than the 30% for which the Palestinian government had asked.