In other news from Middle East, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to the region to hold separate talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The ceasefire in Gaza has entered a third day despite occasional breaches by Palestinian militants. On Monday, Palestinian officials responded to Ehud Olmert’s peace offer.

Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: “What we are looking for is seeing this issue resolved immediately, the release of all the prisoners, Palestinians and Israelis. This is the starting point, especially after the truce which was agreed upon yesterday. We have to build on these steps, and we hope that this issue should be solved very soon.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues to carry out operations in the West Bank, where Israeli troops seized 13 Palestinians overnight.