Israel to set borders by 2010

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's interim Prime Minister will draw permanent borders by 2010 to separate from the majority of the Palestinian population if he wins the elections this month.

The Jerusalem Post has quoted Ehud Olmert as saying Israel will act unilaterally if the Israelis and Palestinians can't come to an agreement.

According to the newspaper, the final borders will be set after internal dialogue in Israel and consultations with the international community.

Olmert also said he would give the newly elected Hamas a "reasonable amount of time" to recognise Israel and to disarm.

The acting Prime Minister, whose Kadima party is being widely tipped to head Israel's next coalition government, said "We will wait, but I don't intend to wait forever.

"If after a reasonable time passes it becomes clear that the Palestinian Authority is not willing to accept these principles, we will need to begin to act."

Israel says it will not currently negotiate with Hamas, which has been responsible for dozens of suicide bombings since the start of the intafada in 2000.