US special envoy for the Middle East Mr William Burns today urged Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat to put a halt to "terrorist attacks" following two car bombings in Jerusalem.
"We had a constructive meeting about the implementation of the Mitchell report on ending the violence and resuming negotiations," Mr Burns told reporters after meeting the Palestinian leader in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
"Sadly there was further violence in Jerusalem today, two terrorist attacks. I urged Arafat to do everything possible to stop it," Mr Burns said.
A car bomb exploded in the centre of Jerusalem this morning only meters from a similar explosion last night and hours before the Burns-Arafat meeting.
A number of people were treated for minor injuries including shock. The Damascus-based Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for last night's bombing which occurred near Israeli police headquarters in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile there were claims that Israel has violated its five-day unilateral ceasefire 96 times.Palestinian general security chief Mr Abdel Razeq al-Majeida also said Israel is lying about its peace intentions to sway international public opinion.
Mr Burns arrived for the meeting this morning accompanied by US Ambassador to Israel Mr Martin Indyk and Consul-General in Jerusalem Mr Richard Shlicher.He will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon later today.
Mr Burns was appointed by US Secretary of State Colin Powell shortly after the publication of the Mitchell report last Monday into the deadly unrest that has cost the lives of around 570 people.
AFP