He said Israel has "reservations" about the effectiveness of the Palestinians exercises but added that "the training, of course, is up to them."
Other Israeli security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the presence of even poorly trained Palestinian forces is preferable to the virtual power vacuum currently in the area.
In another development relating to Mideast peacemaking, Jordan's King Abdullah II told an Israeli TV station that he would work to update a 2002 Arab peace offer to take into account Israel's concerns.
Talking to Channel Two TV in an interview broadcast Monday, Abdullah said he was surprised at Israel's negative reaction to the original offer but would work to "re-articulate" it before the upcoming Arab summit in Algiers, Algeria.
The 2002 plan offered Israel recognition from the Arab world as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians that would include withdrawal from all of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and Golan Heights, with an agreed solution for Palestinian refugees.
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