RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The undersecretary of the Palestinian Authority ministry of interior said Tuesday that it had completed its preparations to receive visitors and pilgrims during the summer months.

Hassan Alawai said the ministry expects a significant increase in the number of expatriate Palestinians entering the West Bank to take annual high school exams and return from pilgrimages abroad.

The ministry has formed an "emergency cell" to deal with the influx, he said.