Israel is planning to give a prominent Palestinian leader, Marwan Barghouti, a public trial in a civilian court, officials have said.

A Justice Ministry official was quoted as saying this would allow the public to see the evidence - unlike in a military court where Palestinians charged with involvement in attacks against Israelis are usually tried.

Military court trials have less exposure

Justice Ministry spokesman

Mr Barghouti - leader of Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction in the West Bank - was arrested in Ramallah on 15 April during the Israeli military offensive targeting militants.

In another development, Israel radio says the army has confirmed the arrest of one of the highest-ranking officers in Mr Arafat's personal guard, Force 17.

It said Colonel Abdelrahim al-Nubani was seized on Wednesday night north of Ramallah and that several other Palestinians were arrested elsewhere in the West Bank.

Exposure

Mr Barghouti is one of the most prominent Palestinians ever to be held by the Israelis.

He is considered by Israel as the mastermind of a series of suicide attacks launched by the Fatah-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising - the intifada - nearly two years ago.

"Military court trials have less exposure and we want the public to see the evidence and know justice was done", Reuters news agency quoted Justice Ministry spokesman Jacob Galanti as saying.

No date has been set for the trial and the charges against Mr Barghouti have yet to be finalised.

Speaking soon after Mr Barghouti's arrest, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he would be "brought before an Israeli court for the murder of hundreds of Israelis, babies, children, women".

Israel has rejected allegations by Mr Barghouti's lawyers that its security services have used torture to interrogate him during his detention.