Jerusalem: Israel is preparing to pull back troops as the first Palestinian Prime Minister takes office, perhaps early next week, an Israeli official said on April 18.

The measures, which would also include the release of Palestinian prisoners, were discussed with US administration officials during a meeting with a top aide to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this week in Washington, said Raanan Gissin, a Sharon spokesman.

The United States has been asking Israel to support the designated Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, and has said it will present the "road map" peace plan, which envisions a Palestinian state once Abbas takes power and forms his Cabinet. That could happen as early as April 20.

Sharon has said that once he's in office, he would meet with Abbas, who has spoken out against the Palestinian uprising.

The blueprint Israeli measures, intended to help ease Abbas into power, were drawn up in recent weeks by Israel's Army. The 'Maariv' newspaper said the plan follows secret talks with senior Palestinian officials, including former Gaza security chief Mohammed Dahlan, who is slated to become a minister in Abbas' Cabinet.

The confidence building measures would include a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian areas, the release of Palestinian prisoners and the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian authority, Haaretz said.

Agencies