, JERUSALEM, Dec 11L A US-Led . commission of inquiry began its investigation today into the spiral of Middle East bloodletting two months after being set up amid deep divisions between Israel and the Palestinians over its mission, reports AFP.

The five-member panel, headed by former US senator and Northern Ireland mediator George Mitchell, held talks with Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Jerusalem and is due later to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City.

"This commission is not a tribunal." committee member Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief, told reporters after a separate meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami.

However, neither Barak nor other committee members made any comments to waiting reporters before their meeting.

A total of 320 people have been killed, most of them Palestinian, since the violence exploded in late September over a provocative visit to a holy Jerusalem site by Israel's hardline opposition leader Ariel Sharon.

"The way we understand it, the committee aims to establish the

reasonsfor Lh.e Israeli-Palestinian _ unrest and find ways Lo reduce the violence," Israeli foreign ministry director general Alon Liel told reporters Sunday.

He said both Israel and tht Palestinians will be expected to produce a written account of their position on the origins of the conflict and events since the failed Camp David peace summit In July.

"The largest part of the panel's work will be based on written documents', said Liel, adding that the committee would not carry' out an independent investigation.

The Palestinians last week accused Israel of trying to dilute the powers of the committee.

"Such attempts can only be interpreted as recognition that an objective Inquiry would hold Israel accountable for much of the violence in the current unrest." Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo charged Thursday.

Israel has been accused by die UN Human Rights Commission and International rights groups of using excessive force against Palestinians, who have borne the brunt of casualties during .the conflict.