RAMALLAH, Dec. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior Palestinian official on Tuesday rejected Israeli conditions on withdrawing troops from occupied territories for 72 hours in order to facilitate Palestinian elections on Jan. 9, 2005.

    Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told "Voice of Palestine" radio that Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz's statement on pulling out of the Palestinian towns and cities to facilitate Palestinian Jan. 9 elections could not conducive to free and democratic elections.

    Mofaz announced Monday that Israeli troops will withdraw from Palestinian cities and towns for 72 hours during the Jan. 9 Palestinian presidential election.

    "We will leave the Palestinian cities for a period of about 72 hours, that is the day before, the day of and the day after the election," Mofaz said.

    However, the Palestinian side wants Israeli troops to withdraw from Palestinian towns well before the Jan. 9 vote.

    Erekat demanded that Israel must ensure the freedom of movement for the Palestinians to conduct voter registration, campaigning and voting.

    The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) urged the Israeli government to stop obstructing the elections by erecting checkpoints and arresting people, he said.

    Earlier, Erekat said Israeli troops should pull back from Palestinian towns immediately to enable candidates to campaign and Israel should also lift travel bans on Palestinians and remove checkpoints.

    "I urge Mr. Mofaz and urge the Israeli government to take the high ground and to really open the cities and towns from today," Erekat said on Monday. Enditem