Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he is ready to coordinate with Israel on its planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Mr. Abbas added that he wants to know if the Gaza withdrawal is linked to the internationally backed road map peace plan. He spoke after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the resort town of Sharm al-Sheikh. Mr. Abbas also said he wants Israel to withdraw from more West Bank towns and release more Palestinians prisoners. Israel, for its part, has called on Mr. Abbas to disarm militant factions ahead of the Gaza pullout set for late July. Meanwhile, the Israeli army is holding its first large-scale exercise to prepare for the Gaza evacuation and possible violence from Palestinians or Jewish settlers.
