RAMALLAH, Feb. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) released on Thursday all Islamic Jihad prisoners held in the West Bank city of Jericho, Palestinian security sources reported.

   Twenty-six Jihad members were set free from the Jericho jail, which is guarded by U.S. and British forces.

   They were arrested by the Palestinian security troops late 2005 throughout the West Bank, mainly in Tulkarem, Qalqilya and Jenin,the sources said.

   The arrest campaign against Jihad members and commanders was carried out after the group claimed responsibility for several bombing attacks inside Israel, killing several Israelis.

   The release came after several meetings between Jihad and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, during which Jihad leaders demanded the PNA release all its prisoners.

   Senior Jihad leader Nafez Azzam said several contacts were held between Jihad and the PNA to release these prisoners, which were positive signs to solve the issue of political arrests within days.

   One of the released prisoners Raed Abu Al Majed said "this is anew stage that we would start after passing a sufferance during the last several months in the prison."  Enditem