JERUSALEM, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- No breakthrough was achieved Wednesday after Israeli and Palestinian security officials wrapped up two rounds of talks on transferring control of the West Bank town of Jericho, the Ha'aretz newspaper reported on its website.

   A main obstacle to a deal was the number of Israeli checkpoints to be removed from around Jericho. The Palestinians insisted thatIsrael remove all around the town.

   The talks were held between Israeli Defense Forces Jordan Valley Division Commander Brigadier General Tal Russo and  Palestinian National Authority (PNA) forces commander in the West Bank HajIsmail.

   Deliberations over the dispute would now likely be proceeded from the military level to the political level.

   During a meeting between Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas late Tuesday, the two sides agreed that Israel would soon pull out from Tulkarm and Jericho in the West Bank.

   Senior Israeli Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad told Israel Army Radio on Wednesday that the handover of Jericho "could be this evening, or it could be in the next few days."

   The security transfer of five West Bank cities comes as part of Israel's confidence-building package pledged at the Feb. 8 summit in Egypt, during which Israel and the Palestinians declared a mutual ceasefire.  Enditem