The Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has again taken his cabinet on a tour of the occupied West Bank to illustrate security plans -- the 4th such trip in two weeks.

Israeli ministers have been unable to resolve differences over long-delayed troop withdrawals from the West Bank.

The prominent rightwing Infrastructure Minister, Ariel Sharon, pointed out bands on the east and west of the territory which he said Israel must retain for security reasons.

His proposals would leave Israel in control of around seventy per cent of the West Bank.

The Palestinians are continuing to demand a complete Israeli military withdrawal.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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