[Telegraph-UK] Tim Butcher - Israeli Prime Minister Olmert indicated on Sunday that he would respond favorably to America's request to authorize 1,500 armed Palestinian soldiers based in Jordan to move into the Gaza Strip. President George W. Bush is understood to have formally requested the troop transfer in his meeting with Olmert this week. The Jordan-based Badr Brigade was previously regarded by Israel as an enemy force. But the rise to power of Hamas has led to a re-think because the Badr Brigade is loyal to Fatah, the faction of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, that Israel now supports.
2006-11-15 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive