RAMALLAH, Dec. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The Palestinian National Authority(PNA) urged the international community to press Israel to release five detained Palestinian candidates for the municipal elections in the West Bank.

    Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Thursday that the PNA has contacted the European Union and the United States and the United Nations as well as human rights institutions to urge Israel to release the arrested candidates.

    Erekat said the Israeli troops arrested four candidates at a checkpoint in the West Bank town of Al Dahereya and a fifth in Jericho two days ago.

    Palestinian sources said Israel was still holding the five Palestinian candidates.

    The first stage of the municipal elections is due to begin on Dec. 23.

    Meanwhile, Minister of Municipal Affairs Jamal Shoubaki told Voice of Palestine radio that the highest committee for the municipality elections held a session on Wednesday and discussed this issue.

    Shoubaki said "Israel, under international pressure, has given clear statements to facilitate the elections but the arrests show the opposite of what it has promised."

    He noted that the PNA will do its best even by contacting the Israeli side directly or indirectly so as to secure the release of the five candidates. Enditem