Israeli army leaves Ramallah

Israeli forces have completed their withdrawal from the ravaged compound of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah following a deal transferring six Palestinians to international custody.
The pull-out means an end of Mr Arafat's confinement in Ramallah where tanks besieged his headquarters for more than a month.

In his first public comments after the withdrawal, an emotional Mr Arafat condemned the continuing stand-off at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where renewed clashes broke out during Wednesday night.

Heavy exchanges of gunfire and explosions were heard, and sources inside the Church compound said a number of fires were burning.