31.   But Israel refused to discuss an army withdrawal from Palestinian population centres on the West Bank, which the PLO insists must take place before the elections.

32.   Delegates were expected to focus on the major obstacles blocking an agreement -- army withdrawal from Hebron, the control of water sources and the release of Palestinians prisoners.

33.   Erakat said the two sides had created a working committee for talks on the long-delayed Israeli army withdrawal from most of the West Bank town of Hebron.

34.   The second stage of autonomy involves an Israeli army withdrawal from Palestinian areas on the West Bank, the handover of civil powers and elections to an autonomy council.

35.   Israel and the PLO are trying to complete a deal on exending West Bank autonomy, including an army withdrawal, Palestinian elections and the transfer of civilian powers.

36.   It calls for an Israeli army withdrawal from Palestinian towns in the West Bank to be followed by self-rule elections.

37.   Israeli security officials have been fearful that Jewish and Palestinian radicals could carry out last minute attacks to sabotage the Israeli army withdrawal.

38.   Israeli security officials have repeatedly expressed concern in recent days that extremists from both sides in Hebron could carry out attacks designed to make an army withdrawal impossible.

39.   Main negotiations on the second phase -- army withdrawal outside West Bank towns and Palestinian elections -- are a year behind schedule and still far from finished.

40.   Meanwhile in Hebron itself settlers have been holding almost daily protests against any army withdrawal.