British Prime Minister Tony Blair has proposed holding an international conference in London next year to focus on strengthening and reforming the Palestinian administration.
Mr. Blair made the proposal at a meeting in Jerusalem Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The British leader said the proposed conference would help prepare the Palestinians to take advantage of Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
At a news conference with Mr. Blair, Prime Minister Sharon said he supports the idea of such a conference.
The British prime minister is set to meet later with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
In regional violence, a Palestinian militant was shot dead by the Israeli army today, and an Israeli civilian working in the West Bank was killed by militants.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.