Olmert to unfreeze 100 mln in tax funds-Abbas aide

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec 23 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed today to unfreeze 100 million dollars in withheld tax funds to the Palestinians for humanitarian purposes, an aide to President Mahmoud Abbas said.

Saeb Erekat said Olmert also promised Abbas during a meeting in Jerusalem to remove some checkpoints in the occupied West Bank in the coming days.

Speaking at a news conference, Erekat said the leaders had also committed themselves to reviving a meaningful peace process.

Reuters MQA RN0227