SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Feb 8 (AFP) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Tuesday that Israel would halt military operations against the Palestinians and that he hoped the deal would lead to a new era of peace in the Middle East.
"In my meeting with Mr. Abbas today, I have reached an agreement where the Palestinians will cease all of their actions of violence against the Israelis everywhere and in parallel, Israel will cease its military operations against Palestinians in all locations," he said at a landmark summit in Egypt.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas also mentioned the truce agreement in his closing statement.
"Today will be the day that marks the relaunching of the process for a better future that will lead us towards mutual respect and peace in the Middle East," Sharon also said.
"We have an opportunity to turn our back on the bloody path imposed on us over the last four years."
But he said it was a "fragile opportunity" for peace, warning that there were still "extremists" waiting to derail the process.
The Israeli premier also for the first time confirmed a series of confidence-building measures recently announced by Israeli officials.
"We have agreed to transfer the security of certain Palestinian localities," he said, in reference to five West Bank towns from which Israel said it would evacuate its troops.
"Israel is going to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners," he also said. Some 900 detainees are set to be released, with a first batch of 500 soon after the summit. Israeli officials have insisted that none would be murder convicts.
"We will set up a joint forum to discuss the criteria used to free future prisoners," Sharon said.
Israel chose the names of the first 900 detainees to be released on its own.
Sharon voiced his commitment to clearing out of all Gaza settlements and four others on the northern West Bank later this year, hinting that his so-called disengagement plan could be coordinated with the new Palestinian leadership.
"I am absolutely determined to implement the disengagement plan which I have initiated," he said.
"It was initiated as unilateral step by us but if a real change actually comes about from the Palestinian side, then the disengagement can bring about peace and act as a new launching point for a coordinated and successful plan."
The Gaza withdrawal "will pave the way for the implementation of the roadmap to which we are committed and which we do wish to put into practice," he said of the US-backed peace blueprint that foresees the creation of a Palestinian state.
02/08/2005 14:28 GMT - AFP