Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat today called for an immediate resumption of political negotiations and warned that unilateral action by Israel "invites extremism".

Erakat, who is due in Malaysia tomorrow for a three-day "Peace in Palestine" conference, made the remarks in a paper distributed to delegates ahead of his arrival.

"Unilateralism only invites extremism and signals a rejection of a negotiated solution to the conflict," he said.

"We again reiterate our call for immediate resumption of political negotiations."

Erakat said Palestinians welcomed the Israeli plan to withdraw from Gaza and northern parts of the West Bank, saying "this decision represents a glimmer of hope".

"We hope this marks the beginning of a process that leads to further withdrawals from occupied Palestinian territory. We do not want Gaza-first to become Gaza-last."

Israeli settlements remained the principal obstacle to ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Erakat said.

"Continued Israeli theft of Palestinian land is a constant signal to Palestinians that the current Israeli government has no intention to fulfill the vision of two-states or to live within recognised and secured borders."

Five Israelis

More than 200 international delegates are attending the conference, organised by the government-backed Peace Malaysia grouping of non-governmental organisations.

Among the delegates are five Israelis who received special permission to attend from the government, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was due to formally open the conference later today.