RAMALLAH, Oct. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Tuesday that the statement of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon he made before the Knesset (Parliament) should turninto deeds on the ground.

    Sharon announced on Monday before the Knesset that Israel still sticks to the roadmap plan for peace in the Middle East. The Knesset voted 53-44 against Sharon's statement, which was believed to be the first time in the country's history that the Knesset voted against a speech at the opening of its winter session.

    Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio that Israel can only approve that it is serious in its commitment toward the US-backed peace plan "by the immediate start of serious negotiations to implement the plan."

    Erekat called on the Quartet Committee's representatives to act seriously to oblige Israel to implement the roadmap. "The Quartet is actually able to oblige Israel to implement the plan by imposing a mechanism, setting up timetables and bringing international observers," said Erekat. Enditem