Mr Peres and Mr Arafat paved the way for security meetings

The denial follows a wide-ranging interview in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper which was interpreted as suggesting Mr Peres believed there was such a plan.

During the interview, Mr Peres talked of disagreements with the deputy army chief of staff, Major General Moshe Yahalon.

The author of the article then writes: "Peres is convinced that Yahalon is determined to get rid of Arafat."

But there is no direct quote from Mr Peres on this.

And Shimon Peres warns against any plan to kill Mr Arafat, saying that if he is killed, he may be replaced by Islamic militant groups committed to Israel's destruction, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah.