Israel is expected to come under increased pressure today to dismantle settlement outposts in the West Bank as the United States tries to revive its "roadmap" for peace.
But Washington stopped short of formulating a clear demand for concrete moves by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was only submitted to gentle prodding by US ambassador Dan Kurtzer.
"It is in Israel's interest to abide by the law, therefore the expectation would be that those outposts would be dismantled," Israeli public radio quoted Mr Kurtzer as saying.
It was expected when the so-called roadmap for peace was published three weeks ago that Israel would, if not accept the document officially, at least dismantle settlement outposts.
But Mr Sharon, whose government includes several extreme-right pro-settler ministers, did not budge and made several defiant statements on the issue.
A high-ranking official reiterated the official position today that outposts would eventually be dismantled but said the issue was not a priority.
The roadmap calls for, among other things, for an immediate halt to Israeli settlement activity. While international community considers all settlements illegal, hilltop outposts even violate Israeli law.
AFP