Arafat condemns Jerusalem bombing

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned Thursday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem, promising to "put an end to such attacks" and work toward a cease-fire after 18 months of violence with Israel.

"We strongly condemn this military operation that took place in west Jerusalem today, especially since it was against innocent Israeli civilians," said a downcast Arafat, reading a statement at his desk beside a Palestinian flag. "We will take the appropriate and immediate measures to put an end to such attacks."

Thursday's suicide bombing, which killed two people and injured scores, was claimed by the Al Aqsa Brigades, a militia affiliated with Arafat's Fatah movement.

Arafat's statement fell short of the clear cease-fire call that the United States has demanded and which Israel has made a condition for lifting the travel ban on the Palestinian leader. That would enable him to attend next week's Arab summit in Beirut, Lebanon, at which Saudi Arabia is to table a regional peace plan.