31.   The only Palestinian passports which Israel recognises as valid are those issued by the self-rule authorities for residents of the autonomous regions of Gaza and Jericho.

32.   The United States has granted a visa for the first time to a Palestinian with a Palestinian passport, the proud holder told AFP on Thursday.

33.   The United States, Britain and Spain have recognized the new Palestinian passport as an official travel document, diplomats said Tuesday.

34.   The United States, the European Union and most Arab states already recognize Palestinian passports.

35.   Israel is demanding that they travel on Jordanian papers, while Saudi Arabia insists they be accorded the Palestinian passport.

36.   Israeli Arab pilgrims will leave for Mecca on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia dropped a demand that they should travel on Palestinian passports, Israeli officials said Sunday.

37.   It recognises the validity of a Palestinian passport only for residents of the Gaza Strip and autonomous enclave of Jericho on the West Bank.

38.   Jordan announced Wednesday it would recognize the Palestinian passport to be issued by the self-rule authority, becoming the first country to do so.

39.   Meanwhile, the chief Palestinian representative in Cairo, Zuhdi Qidra, said Arafat had finalized details for Palestinian passports.

40.   Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will beginning this week be able to travel aboard for the first time using their Palestinian passports, officials said Thursday.