By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Monday praised the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for rescuing an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer who accidentally entered the West Bank city of Jenin.
According to the website of the Israeli daily Ha’aretz, Livni met with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the caretaker Palestinian government in the day, and said the PNA security forces’ rescue operation proved that the Palestinian government and its forces were growing stronger.
Livni was quoted as saying that the rescue of the IDF officer was an example of how security deterioration can be prevented, and how Israel and the Palestinians could avoid harm to both sides.
Earlier in the day, Palestinian witnesses said that the Israeli officer, wearing his Israeli army olive-green uniform, was driving a civilian car when he was blocked by a Palestinian roadblock at the entrance into Jenin.
The officer and his car were then taken to the main Palestinian security headquarters in the city, they added.
Shortly after the officer was captured, an Israeli army force infiltrated into the city center, took the Israeli officer back and pulled out from the town.
Livni and Fayyad also discussed regional developments, including the U.S.-proposed international peace conference slated for this fall, said the report.
Following Livni-Fayyad meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is also expected to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Olmert’s office confirmed that he will meet with Abbas on Tuesday noon in Jerusalem.
The PNA security forces engaged in a gun battle with Islamic Jihad militants on Monday afternoon, in order to protect the IDF major who accidentally drove into Jenin.
The major was evacuated from the area unharmed, and handed over to Israel.