Palestinians sceptical at Sharon 'settlement plan'

Palestinian officials reacted sceptically yesterday to a report that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to remove some Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, calling it a public relations move.

More violence also marred any feelers towards peace. An Israeli official said the killing of two Israeli security guards near a controversial barrier being built through Palestinian areas could delay an expected meeting between Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Qurie.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops shot dead an 11-year-old Palestinian stone thrower and a militant suspected of planting a bomb.

Israel's Channel 2 television said Sharon planned to uproot some Jewish settlements by the middle of next year to make way for a Palestinian state. A source in Sharon's office confirmed such talk, but said it concerned only settlements in Gaza for now.