PA prepares forces for Jenin area

JERUSALEM, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Palestinian Authority will deploy 700 security personnel in the Jenin area of the northern West Bank during the Israeli evacuation of four settlements.

The Ma'an news agency quoted the leader of the Palestinian Security forces in the Jenin area, Diab al-Ali, as saying they were building a camp for that force that would monitor the areas they expect Israel to evacuate.

So far, Israel has not decided to cede those areas to the Palestinian Authority, Israeli Cabinet Secretary Israel Maimon said Sunday.

Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat said the Israelis were ready to make those settlements part of Area B in which Israel is responsible for security and the Palestinians for civilians affairs. The Palestinian Authority wants them to be Area A, under full Palestinian control, Erakat told reporters at a meeting organized by InfoMishkenot in Jerusalem.

Ali told Ma'an the security forces would guard near the areas Israel is evacuating, although there have not yet been any definitive coordination agreements with Israelis.

Talks with Egyptian, European and American representatives are intended to provide military supplies for security forces, he added.