Israel begins departing West Bank town

JERUSALEM -- Israeli troops withdrew from the West Bank town of Tulkarem on Saturday, the army said, the latest in a series of pullbacks from six towns the military entered last month, drawing U.S. complaints.

Palestinian officials said the withdrawal had begun, but was not yet complete. A pullback from Tulkarem in the northern part of the West Bank, would leave troops only in the town of Jenin.

The United States has repeatedly demanded that Israel immediately withdraw from Palestinian territory and not return.

Israel has said its military strikes are aimed at preventing shooting and bombing attacks by Palestinian militants. The incursions were launched in October after the slaying of tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi.

The Israeli military said troops completed their withdrawal from Tulkarem late Saturday. A closure of the town will remain in effect, meaning residents are barred from leaving and entering, the army said.

The Palestinian governor of Tulkarem, Izzedine Sharif, said he was informed by Israel that troops would leave by late Saturday. However, the governor said that after nightfall, soldiers still held two rooftop positions, with tanks parked outside.

In the West Bank town of Ramallah, a group of senior European Union officials met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and told reporters that a viable Palestinian state must be an element of any Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.