Sharon, Abbas willing to hold talks

In separate interviews with Newsweek magazine, both Sharon and interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said they would be willing to meet after the Jan. 9 Palestinian presidential election. Both leaders also vowed to make efforts to restart the US-backed "road map" to peace, a stalled plan that calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state next year.

The comments reflected the new atmosphere of reconciliation since the Nov. 11 death of Arafat, whom Israel accused of backing violence.

Sharon has said he drew up his "unilateral disengagement" plan to withdraw from all of the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements next year when it became clear to him there was no "partner" on the Palestinian side. He has so far refused to negotiate the pullout with the Palestinians.

However, Sharon said Arafat's death made it possible to coordinate the pullout with the new Palestinian leadership and Abbas, who he said "was against terror."

"I am going to make every effort to coordinate our disengagement plan with the new Palestinian government one that can assume control over areas we evacuate," Sharon was quoted as saying.

"Israel will not evacuate under fire. We prefer a coordinated evacuation, but we will not tolerate any attacks during our withdrawal. We are speaking about thousands of people children, babies, women, old people and animals," Sharon added.