Netanyahu: Jordan valley settlements will be expanded

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday asserted Israel's ambitions in the Jordan valley and pledged to expand it and keep it under the Israeli control under the pretext of security.

During a tour he held in the Jordan al-Gore (valley) district accompanied by Sharon, Netanyahu added that his government will continue giving backing to the standing settlements in al-Gore district and work for expanding these settlements.

Netanyahu, in this respect, indicated that Israel will expand Maret Aphreim settlement to make it a main city of the al-Gore (Jordan valley) district, where a faculty of the media will be established.

Israel Radio said that Netanyahu and Sharon inaugurated during their tour a bridge near Meihoula settlement near the al-Gore region.