RIYADH, Aug 23 (AFP) - The Saudi government voiced "concern and dismay" Sunday at Israel's decision to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, noting that it was a breach of the US-backed Middle East peace roadmap.
"The council of ministers expresses great concern and dismay at Israel's decision to expand the construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories," said a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency after the cabinet's weekly meeting.
Ministers regard the Israeli decision as "another hurdle obstructing efforts to reach peace and security in the region, and a breach of all international resolutions, including the roadmap," the statement said.
The cabinet made no reference to the admission by US official sources that the Israeli decision had been taken with the covert blessing of Washington, a key Saudi ally.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last week approved the construction of some 1,000 new homes in four of the largest West Bank settlements.
And a spokeswoman for the lands authority said Monday that Israel had given the green light for the construction of more than 300 new homes in West Bank settlements near Jerusalem.
The mass circulation Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot reported that a total of 2,167 construction permits for West Bank houses had been issued so far this year.
Palestinians reacted furiously on Sunday after it emerged that the United States had given the nod to further construction in existing settlements, saying such a move would wreck the roadmap.
The international community considers all Israeli settlement in the occupied territories to be illegal.