PA slams Israel on police deployment delay

GAZA, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A senior Palestinian official criticized Israel Wednesday for deciding to postpone discussion on deploying armed police in the West Bank.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, told reporters the delay "would make it difficult for the Palestinian Authority to restore discipline and implement law in the West Bank."

The PA last week approved a security plan to redeploy police officers in West Bank cities to end the chaos that has prevailed recently.

The PA contacted the Israelis directly and through a U.S. mediator, and asked Israel to accept redeployment of police in the West Bank, but Israel insisted they be unarmed.

The Palestinians were waiting for a joint security meeting with the Israelis.