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Abbas, Sharon discuss peace

JERUSALEM July 20. The Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers held a two-hour meeting today, kicking off 10 days of international diplomacy aimed at solidifying a fragile West Asia cease-fire and advancing the U.S.-backed ``road map'' peace plan. The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, left the Israeli Premier, Ariel Sharon's Jerusalem residence after a meeting expected to focus on the release of Palestinian prisoners, which the Palestinian security chief, Mohammed Dahlan, told The Associated Press was at the top of the agenda for the Palestinians.

The two sides made no immediate statement after the meeting, the first between Mr. Sharon and Mr. Abbas since July 1. The leaders met as the Palestinian Authority outlawed groups that incite violence and agitate for change through force, moving to meet a requirement of the ``road map'' peace plan — and an Israeli demand — that they disarm militant groups. The decree is the same as one issued in 1998, but was effectively rendered invalid during the 33 months of violence that followed the collapse of the U.S. efforts to broker a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel has indicated it may partly back off its previous refusal to free any members of the two Islamic militant groups that have waged a campaign of suicide bombings. — AP

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