51.   Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Tuesday pledged to help Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat end the Israeli blockade of Palestinian towns in place since December.

52.   Italian Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli on Tuesday reiterated calls for a relaxation of the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territories.

53.   Many Palestinian businessmen are boycotting the event in protest at the Israeli blockade.

54.   Palestinian President Yasser Arafat charged that the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip had caused serious food shortages and threatened to personally carry food into the territory if necessary.

55.   Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will discuss with Saudi leaders Sunday the harsh impact of the Israeli blockade of the self-rule territories, a Palestinian diplomat said here Saturday.

56.   Prices also came under pressure Thursday after Arafat left his offices for the first time since the Israeli blockade was lifted late Wednesday under a US-brokered deal.

57.   Sadek is just one of many Palestinians frustrated by the Israeli blockade of his town.

58.   Secretary General Esmat Abdel Meguid, re-elected at a meeting of foreign ministers, also called for the lifting of the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territories.

59.   Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been thrown out of work by an extended Israeli military blockade of the Palestinian territories.

60.   The meeting took place in Ramallah, where Arafat has been trapped for three months by an Israeli blockade.