Israel: PA forces not in Israeli controlled areas

The defense establishment denied that Palestinian Authority security forces had been granted permission to transport armed uniformed personnel in areas under Israel's control, Israel Radio reported Tuesday. However defense officials confirmed that the IDF sometimes allowed Palestinian policemen to enter Area A, which is under Israeli security control, in order to restore order in disputes between neighbors. The officials were responding to Monday's announcement by a top Palestinian official in Ramallah that Palestinian security forces were operating in areas under Israeli control and in coordination with the IDF.