Israeli Troops Pull Out of Bethlehem

JERUSALEM (AP) - Spurred on by a U.S. peace mission, Israeli troops pulled out of Bethlehem early Tuesday, edging closer to a cease-fire with the Palestinians in the 18-month-old Mideast conflict.

The pullback came after Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) arrived to bolster the efforts of U.S. mediator Anthony Zinni, and the pair held talks Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites).

In the most promising sign since Zinni arrived last week, Israel pulled back after midnight from the West Bank town of Bethlehem — traditional birthplace of Jesus — and neighboring Beit Jalla, El-Khader and the Aida refugee camp.

The Palestinians demanded at security talks Monday afternoon that Israel pull out of all their territory before a cease-fire could be declared.

Palestinian West Bank security chief Jibril Rajoub said the pullback from Bethlehem was not enough. He said Israel must complete its withdrawal from two other towns, Tulkarem and Qalqilya. Israel said it had pulled out of the two towns last week.