LONDON. May 4: Negotiators voiced scant hope of major progress Monday as Palestinian. Israeli. US and British leaders opened talks aimed at reviving the Mideast peace process. reports AP.

"The important thing is to have an effort to stretch, not only on the Israeli side." said Israel's Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu, as he emerged from the first round of discussions with British leaders.

'We have gone the extra mile, well beyond the extra mile. We need some corollary effort from the Palestinian side, and we hope that will be forthcoming." said Netanyahu as he headed towards a meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Discussions were expected to focus on a US proposal for further Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.

Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat arrived for separate meetings at the Downing Street office of BriUsh Prime Minister Tony Blair in brilliant sunshine, the Israeli leader departing before the Palestinian drove up.

Their motorcades moved swiftly through the British capital and past groups of demonstrators because of less-than-usual traffic. Monday is a national holiday.

Blair welcomed Arafat outside the office, but neither spoke to reporters as they went inside. Arafat was to meet later with Mrs Albright. The Palestinian and Israeli leaders were not expected to engage in face-to-face talks.

Outside Downing Street, rival demonstrators shouted at each other. A couple of dozen Arab demonstrators waved black flags and banners with slogan. "Peace process go to hell!" and chanted "Allah Ak-

bar!"' (God is Great!)

About five yards (metres) away, a small group of pro-Is-raelis shouted back and chanted "Give peace a chance."

Netanyahu agrees to 11 pc withdrawal from West Bank

AFP adds: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to an Israeli troop withdrawal from 11 per cent of the West Bank ahead of talks on the

scope of the pullback in London witn US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Haaretz newspaper reported today.

Israeli sources told the daily that Netanyahu had accepted the figure, which falls short of a reported US proposal for a 13 per cent withdrawal, in talks Friday with US Vice-President Al Gore.

Netanyahu will discuss the new Israeli stance with Albright in his meeting with her

later Monday, the sources said.

Netanyahu hinted to flexibility in the Israeli position in meetings last month with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the newspaper reported.

Netanyahu's diplomatic advisor. Uzi Arad, denied Israel had changed its stance that any withdrawal from more than nine per cent of the West Bank would endanger the country's security interests.