US President George W. Bush urged visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday not to expand Jewish settlement in the West Bank, and to stick to his obligations under the US-backed "road map" peace.

"I told the prime minister not to undertake any activity that contravenes the road map or prejudices final status obligations," Bush told reporters after having talks with Sharon at his Texas ranch.
 
Bush said he reiterated to Sharon the immediate demands of the internationally negotiated road map for peace between Israel and the Palestinians: that Israel remove any unauthorized outposts in the Palestinian territories and "meet its road map obligations regarding settlements in the West Bank."

In his meeting with Bush, Sharon pledged to dismantle illegal outposts in Palestinian territories and abide by Israel's obligations under the US-backed "roadmap" to peace.

"Regarding the unauthorized outposts, I wish to reiterate that Israel is a society governed by the rule of law. As such, I will fulfill my commitment to you, Mr. President, to remove unauthorized outposts and settlements.

"Israel will also meet all its obligations under the road map," said Sharon.

Israel's plan to expand Jewish settlement in the West Bank overshadowed the meeting between Sharon and Bush which was originally designed to give Sharon support for a controversial plan to dismantle all 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli pullout, scheduled for July and August, is expected to remove about 9,000 Israeli settlers from their homes.

The "road map" peace plan envisions an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel but has been frozen since its launch in June 2003 amid violations by both sides.

Sharon has said that he will not begin talks on a final peace deal until Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas cracks down on militant groups and disarms them.

The White House agrees with Israel that Abbas must do more to control militants and their violent attacks against Israelis.

Sharon also wants Palestinian leaders to guarantee that Israelis will not come under fire during settlement evacuation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2005)