Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has revealed that opposition Labour party leader Shimon Peres held a secret meeting with Palestinian PM Ahmad Quraya last week. Sharon made the disclosure to parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee on Monday, but without giving details of what was discussed. His statement sparked off protests from Labour Knesset members. Although nominated in September 2003, Quraya has never met Sharon despite a number of preliminary contacts aimed at clinching a summit between the two prime ministers. Later in his speech to the committee, Sharon warned Jordan would damage its ties with Israel by joining an international campaign against the separation barrier being built in the West Bank. Amman was "leading" the campaign in the Arab world despite having "much to lose in worsening of its relations" with Israel, he said. Sharon was addressing parliament's foreign affairs and defense commission during a debate on the barrier's construction ahead of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on the legality of the works. The Israeli PM said Jordan was merely frightened that many Palestinians would settle on its territory because of the barrier's erection.
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