WORLD IN BRIEF : ISRAEL : Jerusalem Visit for Top Palestinian OKd

Israel gave a Palestinian official permission to visit Jerusalem, the city claimed by both sides as their capital. Israel signed a peace agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization in May but wouldn’t let its officials visit the disputed city. Nabil Shaath, minister of planning in the Palestinian Authority running the Gaza Strip and West Bank town of Jericho, will be allowed to visit Jerusalem’s Muslim shrines, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s office announced. Shaath confirmed that, and said, “This ought to be a matter of fact. We ought to be able to see Jerusalem, to pray in Jerusalem.” Palestinian sources said he might visit as early as today.