Netanyahu insists on having presence in Jordan Valley in any future settlement

PIC

[ 03/03/2010 - 11:41 AM ]

NAZARETH, (PIC)-- Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu has said that his army should maintain a military presence in the Jordan Valley east of the West Bank even after a settlement is reached with the Palestinians.

Addressing a meeting for the parliament's foreign and security committee on Tuesday, he said that the strategic importance of Jordan Valley makes it imperative on Israel not to withdraw from it.

He said that the Israeli army should be present between River Jordan and any future Palestinian state.

Leader of the opposition Kadima party Tzipi Livni warned that such a condition would make it impossible to reach an agreement with the Palestinians, adding that she would ask for security arrangements but not Israeli presence.

Netanyahu replied insisting on having a presence, saying that such security arrangements with Lebanon made Hizbullah re-arm itself more than before.

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