State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Rice andSharon discussed initial steps to be taken by the newPalestinian government to end violence, and Israel'sresponse. Rice also outlined "a possible securitymechanism to help Palestinians build effective securityforces that fight terrorism and help Palestinians andIsraelis in cooperating to end the violence," Bouchersaid. Boucher did not give details, but the Bush administrationis working on ways to monitor or enforce a cease-fire. In a boost to peace prospects, the mainstream Palestinianmovement Fatah, headed by Abbas, said Sunday it would agreeto a mutual cease-fire with Israel in the West Bank andGaza. Fatah also ruled out attacks against civilians insideIsrael. Rice is making an eight-day trip through Europe and theMiddle East, her first overseas diplomacy since taking overfrom Colin Powell at the State Department. The new Palestinian leadership has embraced nonviolence,deployed police to keep the peace in Gaza and won pledgesfrom extremists to halt attacks on Israel. Rice was to return to Europe on Monday for meetings withItalian, French and other leaders. Her stops are helpingpave the way for Bush's own meetings with European andRussian heads of state later this month.--SPA1317 Local Time 1017 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/237431