GAZA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Labor Minister Ghassan Al-Khatib said Sunday that assassinating Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) leader Abdel-Aziz Rantisi was a result of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's recent visit to Washington.

    "We are starting to feel serious concern and danger, especially after this visit and US president George W. Bush's statements legalized the resumption of the Israeli aggressions carried out against Palestinians," Al-Khatib said.

    He believed Sharon's visit to the White House opened the appetite of the Israeli right-wing Likud headed by Sharon to resumehis assassination policy.

    The Palestinian minister warned on Sharon's coming plans of mounting his threats to liquidate Palestinians leaders, particularly Yasser Arafat, calling on the international community to immediately intervene to end these threats.

    He asserted the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is adoptinga series of necessary measures to avert any Israeli attack against Arafat. Enditem