Palestinian officials began a meeting today with British and US security experts on plans to move wanted militants out of Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat's base at Ramallah and clear the way for his release.
Five members of the foreign delegation met up with four Palestinian representatives, including Palestinian information minister Mr Yasser Abed Rabbo, at a Palestinian government building in Ramallah at around 9.45 p.m. (local time).
Earlier British experts had visited the prison in the West Bank town of Jericho where the six militants are to be put under international guard.
Once the transfer is complete, Israeli has promised to lift its month-long siege of Arafat's battered headquarters under its part of the deal brokered by US President Bush and accepted by both sides on Sunday.
A Palestinian source said the prisoners could even be moved late tonight, but there was no official indication here or in Jericho when the transfer would take place.
The source, who asked not to be named, said the talks today were delayed slightly over the issue of whether Mr Haj Ismail, the commander of Palestinian security forces who is holed up with Mr Arafat, could attend.
This afternoon, shooting erupted briefly today near Mr Arafat's headquarters but the Palestinian leader was unharmed, Palestinian officials said.
Witnesses said gunshots were fired near the north side of the compound, but the shooting was not directed at the offices.
The source of fire was not immediately clear, but Israeli soldiers close to the compound said it appeared that Palestinian gunmen had fired at an army position nearby.
This morning Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles moved into a West Bank village near the town of Bethlehem. The Israeli army said it went into Shawara, east of Bethlehem, "to frustrate hostile terrorist activity originating in the village".
AFP and