Dayton: “Israel agreed to transfer to the P.A bullet-proof vests, 145 military vehicles�

Saturday August 09, 2008 04:31 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (P.A), stated in his first interview with the Israel media that Israel and the United States agreed to help the Palestinian Authority in strengthening its security forces, the Arabs48 news website reported.

Lieutenant General Keith Dayton

Dayton stated that Israel agreed to transfer 200 bullet-proof vests and 145 military vehicles to the Palestinian security forces, under the control of president Mahmoud Abbas.

The equipment was supposed to be transferred to the P.A a long time ago, but was not delivered due to Israeli objections.

Also, Israel agreed to ease the entry of Palestinian security men who underwent military training in Jordan.

Dayton also said that he is impressed by the capabilities of the Palestinian security forces and added that “with time, the Palestinians will be capable of maintaining security control over the West Bank, and will be able to curb attacks against Israel”.

He also said that his personal opinion, not the opinion of the US Administration, is that there is a need to create an organized Palestinian force as long as they have a political horizon to aspire.

It is worth mentioning that Dayton arrived in the area by the end of 2005 in order to help organize the Palestinian security forces. He intends to train five brigades which belong to the Palestinian security force. These brigades will act side by side with the Palestinian police force.

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