President of Jerusalem's al-Quds University Sari Nusseibeh has vowed to appeal against the closing of his office by Israeli police on Tuesday.

There is no Palestinian representation in the office

Sari Nusseibeh

Israeli Public Security Minister Uzi Landau said the office was used by the Palestinian Authority (PA), in violation of interim peace deals.

But Mr Nusseibeh - a moderate who is also the top Palestinian official in Jerusalem - denies the charge.

Both Israeli and Palestinian peace activists have protested against the eviction.

'Long arm'

Mr Nusseibeh says he has met lawyers to prepare an appeal.

If the appeal is rejected, he says he will consider pursuing the matter in Israeli courts.

Nusseibeh is a leading Palestinian moderate

On Tuesday Israeli police closed the administrative offices of al-Quds university in east Jerusalem, seizing documents and computers.

Mr Landau said the university was part of "long arm of the Palestinian Authority, operating against the law".

He added that Israel on the same grounds shut down Orient House in east Jerusalem last August, following a Palestinian attack.

Mr Nusseibeh denies that the PA used his office, which is says dealt with purely academic matters.

"There is no Palestinian representation in the office,� he says.

Moderation

Later on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian peace activists staged a sit-in outside the building to protest against the closure.

Police walked off with documents and computers

Mr Nusseibeh, an outspoken Palestinian moderate, has criticised suicide bombings.

He has called on Palestinians to give up their demand for the right of all refugees to return to Israel - on condition that Israel give up the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.

In January, Mr Nusseibeh said it would be better if any future Palestinian state was demilitarised.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres praised him as "courageous".