Israel to remove West Bank roadblocks

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel has pledged to remove 50 West Bank roadblocks as part of a package to improve everyday life for Palestinians, according to US officials travelling with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The officials also said that both sides agreed Palestinian security forces in the West Bank must assume “greater responsibility.''

The announcement was made Sunday after Rice met with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Rice is in Occupied Jerusalem on a three-day trip. She said earlier she expected Israel to take meaningful steps to improve the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank.