Arafat says Israel must leave West Bank before violence ends

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rebuffed Secretary of State Colin Powell's demand Sunday for a halt to violence, saying Israel first must withdraw its troops from the West Bank.

Powell, shuttling back to Israel for a meeting in Tel Aviv, then pressed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for a complete pullback, a U.S. official said.

Sharon renewed his proposal for an international peace conference among Israel and Arab states including Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon and the Palestinians, but not Yasser Arafat.

Sharon said the United States would lead the conference, and "I imagine that within a short time a conference of this sort will convene to debate the diplomatic arrangements in the Middle East."

A senior U.S. official said the idea was discussed "as part of a way to move forward politically," but more talks were needed.

Arafat, 72, appeared in good health as he met with Powell in his rocket-scarred headquarters that is surrounded by Israeli tanks and troops.