Israel eases West Bank travel restrictions

JERUSALEM, Nov 13 (AFP) - The Israeli army has lifted travel restrictions imposed on residents of West Bank towns for the funeral of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, an army spokewoman said Saturday, although restrictions remained on the towns of Nablus and Jenin.
"The restrictions have been lifted so that the population can come and go freely from the towns except Nablus and Jenin," the spokeswoman told AFP.
The spokeswoman said that restrictions remained on the two towns because the army believed anti-Israeli attacks were being prepared. The army maintained a strict closure around the West Bank.
A ban on Palestinian residents entering Israel from the occupied territories remained in force, she said.

11/13/2004 19:28 GMT - AFP