Arafat calls for international observer force

The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, yesterday took advantage of growing international condemnation of Israeli military action to call for the immediate appointment of international observers to the Middle East.

Amid the first signs that Israel's steadfast refusal to the proposals were starting to weaken, Mr Arafat met the Pope and the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Italy to drum up support. The proposals had appeared to have been scuppered by the Israelis two weeks ago but a reported secret plan by the US to deploy observers is likely to force a rethink.

Israel is under pressure following its missile attack on the offices of the militant Islamic movement, Hamas, which killed eight people including two children in the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday.

Even the United States had criticised Israel's policy of killing Palestinian militants and Israel is unlikely to ignore its greatest backer over the observer issue.

Mr Arafat said that the situation in the region had deteriorated to the extent that it could have "international repercussions". After his meeting, he said: "I ask for a stop to all forms of violence and to despatch immediately international observers so we can implement the Mitchell plan."

The Mitchell plan, drawn up by a panel led by former US Senator George Mitchell, calls for an end to violence, followed by a cooling-off period, confidence-building moves and the resumption of peace talks.

The observer force could provide a badly needed fillip to the ailing peace process. The Israelis have always been opposed to it but the Palestinians feel that it would be a check on Israeli excesses. At least 650 people have been killed, including 510 Palestinians, 130 Israelis and 13 Israeli Arabs, since the uprising began.

Raanan Gissin, a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, dismissed Arafat's comments and urged him to comply with a ceasefire, which was agreed in June.