In Cairo, Arafat briefs Pres. Mubarak on his recent mtg. with Pres. Clinton. (MENA, RE, RMC 1/27 in WNC 1/30)
UK PM Blair says that Jewish settlements are "illegal"; redeployments should be substantial, credible, "implemented without preconditions"; Israel should withdraw unconditionally fr. Lebanon; peace process will be UK's priority during its current presidency of the EU. (MM 1/27)
In Amman, PM Majali receives Israeli Arab delegation. (RJ 1/27 in WNC 1/30)
Israeli Housing Min. confirms plans for construction of 15,000 new settlement units over the next 2 yrs. 60% of these will be in East Jerusalem, surrounding area. (PR 2/13)
Israeli schools get special textbook to commemorate the country's 50th anniversary, but book makes almost no mention of Palestinians. Authors say that they "had too many other subjects to cover." (WT 1/28)
In s. Lebanon, 1 civilian is killed by a roadside bomb. In separate incident, 1 Lebanese girl is killed by IDF shelling. (VOL 1/27 in WNC 1/30)