U.S criticises Israeli settlement expansion

The United States has renewed its criticism of Israel's policy of expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank after the Israeli government inaugurated the construction of a new neighbourhood.

The State Department spokesman, James Foley, said the move would do nothing to build confidence between Israelis and Palestinians.

The United States has demanded a temporary halt to Israeli settlement activity on the West Bank and suggested Israel should concentrate more on the stalled peace process.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service