AMMAN, Mar 2: Jordan tn proceeding with plana to reopen branches of its commercial banks in the Israeli-occupied territorlea, despite the freezing of peace talks, a senior official said Tuesday, reports AP.

The stand underlined Jordan's unspoken approach that the Arab withdrawal from the latest round of peace talks with Israel tn Washington was only ■ temporary Interruption, rather than a breakoff in the US backed negotiations.

Jordan. Syria and Lebanon on Sunday broke off the talk* in protest against Friday's killing of at least 39 Palestinian* by a Jewish *etlier

at a mosque in the West Bank town of Hebron.

The move came in solidarity with the Palestinians, whose Tunis-based leadership, the Palestine Liberation Organization, has not yet made clear its position regarding the resumption of peace negotiations.

Ahmed Mbeldeen. a foreign ministry spokesman, said, "Jordan's decision to suspend the peace talks with Israel has nothing to do with the reopen tng of the bank branches.

We agreed with the PLO to open the branches and we will go ahead," Mbeldeen told The Associated Press

He said the Central Bank of Jordan, which In January issued preliminary licenses to five banks to reopen eight branches in the occupied territories that have been closed since 1967, will soon an nounce a date for the formal reopening

Tawfiq al-Khalll. a senior of ficial at the Arab Bank. Jordan's largest commercial bank, said, "We are working hard to guarantee the reopen Ing of these branches as soon MpoIbfe