Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz blamed Syria on Saturday for a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv one day earlier, Army Radio reported. Israeli officials would go abroad in coming days to present a diplomatic offensive against Damascus, said a statement issued by Mofaz's office. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) --  A senior Israeli official says the country has decided to freeze plans to hand over security responsibilities in the West Bank to the Palestinians following a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

    The Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Saturday did not say when the freeze might be lifted.

    Israel has said it may retaliate against the Islamic Jihad militant group which claimed responsibility for the bombing, and also blamed Syria's involvement.

    But Syria refuted the Israeli blame over its alleged role in the suicide bombing.

    Israel had pledged to withdraw from five West Bank towns within weeks after a February 8th cease-fire declaration and allow Palestinian security forces to take over.

    The suicide bombing took place on Friday night outside a nightclub in Tel Aviv killing four Israelis and wounding fifty others.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)