Sharon Calls for Increased Pressure on Palestinians.

By VOA News

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called for increased international pressure on Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat to stop Palestinian attacks.

Sharon spoke to reporters Sunday in London after meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr. Sharon said

Sharon made a brief stop in the British capital on his way to Washington, where he will meet Tuesday with President Bush to discuss the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians that began on July 13.

Sharon's trip to Washington comes amid growing tension over the killing of a Palestinian activist from Yasir Arafat's Fatah faction. Osama Jawabreh was killed Sunday morning when a bomb exploded in a telephone booth he was using. An Arafat spokesman immediately accused Israel of assassinating Jawabreh. Sharon has not commented on the incident.

A high-ranking official on the plane carrying Sharon to Washington told reporters that several days ago Israel gave Arafat a list of dozens of Palestinian activists it wanted arrested within 24 hours. The official said no action was taken on that request.

A total of eight Palestinians and six Israelis have died since the ceasefire brokered by the United States began 12 days ago.

Sharon also is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington before Powell leaves for the Middle East.

Israeli government officials said Sharon would tell his American hosts that while he is interested in reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians, Israel would continue to take all steps necessary to protect its citizens.