President Bush has praised Israel and the Palestinians for accepting a U.S. plan to end the Israeli siege of Yasser Arafat's Ramallah headquarters. 

Speaking to reporters at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Mr. Bush called the development a positive sign that both sides are accepting their responsibilities to help end the conflict. He said all parties must commit to fighting terror and promoting peace. 

He said Mr. Arafat is not only free to move around but also free to lead, and that he expects the Palestinian leader to do so. 

The president says Mr. Arafat should act decisively in word and deed against terror aimed at Israeli civilians. He also called for a stepped-up effort worldwide to bring humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people. 

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister (Prince Saud al-Faisal) told reporters in Texas Sunday that the breaking of the Ramallah impasse presents an opportunity for the sides to move toward a permanent peace settlement. 

Israel's cabinet voted to adopt the plan to end the Ramallah siege early Sunday. Aides to Mr. Arafat later said he had approved the plan, under which U.S. and British guards will monitor six Palestinian prisoners wanted by Israel. 

Palestinian officials say U.S. and British officials would arrive in the region Monday to start discussions on how to implement the plan. 

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks entered the West Bank town of Hebron early Monday and troops were reported to be conducting searches and arresting suspected militants. Palestinian sources say at least on Palestinian was killed and several others were wounded. 

In Bethlehem, there was no breakthrough in Israeli-Palestinian talks aimed at resolving the 26-day standoff at the Church of the Nativity. But President Bush says he believes good progress is being made toward ending Israel's incursion into the West Bank town. 

About 200 Palestinians, including 30 gunmen wanted by Israel, have taken refuge in the church, which has been surrounded by Israeli forces for nearly a month. 

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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