41.   But the Palestinians say they cannot hold elections to an autonomy council while they are under military occupation.

42.   Elections to an autonomy council to govern Gaza and Jericho are also to be held.

43.   Environment Minister Yossi Sarid, who was also to go to Cairo, said on Saturday that elections to a Palestinian autonomy council could take place in the autumn.

44.   Erakat said the talks this week would focus on the structure of the autonomy council.

45.   Erakat said Israeli-PLO negotiations this week would focus on the structure of the autonomy council.

46.   The minister said the meeting would focus on elections to an autonomy council, water-sharing and control of holy shrines on the West Bank.

47.   The Palestinian delegation had yet to arrive for another round of talks on elections to an autonomy council due to run the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

48.   The newly-elected Palestinian autonomy council will hold its first meeting at the beginning of March, a senior Palestinian official told AFP on Monday.

49.   The PLO has accused Israel of deliberately hindering elections to an autonomy council which will steer self-rule in the autonomous Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

50.   The pact also provides for elections in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem for an autonomy council and the transfer of all civilian authority to the Palestinians.