Jordan says Gaza pullout must lead to end of occupation, Palestinian state

AMMAN, Oct 27 (AFP) - Jordan said on Wednesday that Israel's planned pullout from the Gaza Strip should pave the way for an end of the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
"Our position is clear. Any withdrawal should be part of the Middle East roadmap and herald the start of a withdrawal from all Palestinian territories," foreign ministry spokesman Ali Ayed told AFP.
"The withdrawal should put an end to the occupation and lead to a Palestinian state," he said.
The Israeli parliament approved late Tuesday a plan by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to pull out all 8,000 Jewish settlers and the military from the Gaza Strip, which has been occupied since 1967.
Several hundred residents of four small Jewish enclaves in the northern West Bank also face evacuation as part of a plan which Sharon believes will enable Israel to cement its hold over larger West Bank settlement blocs.

10/27/2004 12:51 GMT - AFP