GAZA, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Efforts are underway to hold a meeting between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after Israel's Gaza pullout, Israeli radio said Saturday.

    High-ranking Israeli sources were quoted as saying that the summit between the two leaders will discuss steps and actions after the implementation of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank.

    The sources said the implementation of the road map peace plan will also be one major subject to be discussed at the meeting.

    A senior Palestinian National Authority (PNA) official confirmed that the Palestinian side is ready for such a summit.

    Abbas telephoned Sharon last week, when the two men agreed to hold a meeting soon. But a specific date has not been fixed yet.

    The Palestinian side is keen to know what will be Israel's next step after it evacuated all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in the northern West Bank this week, the official said.

    Sharon said this pullout is designed to "disengage" from conflicts with the Palestinians. Enditem