RAMALLAH, May 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Youssef met with US security coordinator in Mideast William Ward on Tuesday in the West Bank town of Jericho over the Palestinian preparations for the Israeli Gaza pullout. A statement issued by the Interior Ministry said the meeting focused on preparing Palestinian security forces for the coming Israeli evacuation as well as reconstruction funds to be offered to the Palestinians.

    The four-hour meeting was the first of its kind since Ward was appointed in February as US special envoy to coordinate the expected Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank slated to start in mid-August.

    Palestinian security chiefs and representatives of the donor countries also attended the meeting.

    Israel, however, was absent from the talks and the Palestinian surged Israel to make serious contribution to the coordination of the evacuation. Enditem