TELAVIV, May 24, 2007, (WAFA)-Israel, the Palestinian National Authority and the European Union have agreed to extend the mandate for the EU's Border Assistance Mission (BAM) at the Rafah Crossing, Haarets reported Thursday.

According to the paper, a European Union source said the EU is hesitant to take on enforcement responsibilities for its observers there and would prefer to continue relying on Palestinian forces to fulfill that role.

Israel has alluded to the fact that EU BAM's mandate of enforcement should be broadened, while a number of disagreements remain over the nature of the EU BAM's mandate.

The issues in dispute are expected to be discussed in a meeting scheduled Thursday between Ambassador Marc Otte, the EU's Special Envoy to the Middle East, and senior Foreign Ministry officials.

The EU representatives are expected to try to blur the language in the annex, so it will be acceptable to both sides.

M.H.(13:00 P)( 10:00 GMT)