Straw rebuffs call to isolate Arafat

Britain has rebuffed a call from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to break off contacts with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

During talks this morning in London with Mr Sharon, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw made clear that the Government would continue dealing with Mr Arafat "as we see fit", British officials said.

The Israeli Prime Minister was due to meet Tony Blair for talks over dinner in Downing Street tonight in a visit intended to repair relations between the two governments following the strains of recent months.

This morning's 45 minute meeting with Mr Straw focused mainly on the Middle East peace process and the implementation of internationally-backed "road map".

Mr Sharon was said to have raised the issue of contacts with Mr Arafat.

"The Foreign Secretary made clear our position, as with the rest of the EU, is that Arafat is the democratically elected president of the Palestinian Authority and we will continue to have dealings with him as we see fit," one official said.

Mr Sharon wants European leaders finally to cut their ties with Mr Arafat, who he accuses of interfering in the work of the moderate Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen.

Although Mr Arafat has been partly sidelined since Mr Abbas became premier in April, he retains considerable powers and remains the most popular Palestinian leader.

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