Ariel Sharon

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he is sorry Israel did not kill Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1982, when the army had him surrounded in Beirut.

Mr. Sharon, who was defense minister at the time, told the Israeli newspaper Maariv there was an agreement in Lebanon not to "liquidate" Mr. Arafat. He said all things considered, he regrets that decision.

Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 to try to crush the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The raid came after Palestinian terrorists tried to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Great Britain.

Mr. Sharon has been accused of war crimes for the 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees by Lebanese Christian militiamen allied with Israel.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat quickly denounced the Mr. Sharon's remarks. He says they prove that Israel still wants to kill the Palestinian leader.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josip Piques, whose country is current European Union president, said if Sharon's quotes are accurate, he deplores them and they warrant rejection.

Israel is demanding Mr. Arafat take tough action against groups responsible for anti-Israeli attacks.

Israeli tanks are surrounding Mr. Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah, where he has been confined since December. Israel has said it does not intend to harm Mr. Arafat.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.

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