"With regard to the unauthorised outposts, I want to reiterate that Israel is a society governed by the rule of law, thus we will immediately begin to remove unauthorised outposts," he said.
Sharon was reading from a prepared statement after the meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas and US President George W Bush aimed at pushing through an international peace plan known as the roadmap.
"Israel like others has lent its strong support for President Bush's vision expressed on June 24, 2002, of two states, Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security," he said.
"The government and people of Israel welcome the opportunity to renew direct negotiations according to the steps of the roadmap as adopted by the Israeli government to achieve his vision".
Israel is theoretically committed to dismantling all settlement outposts set up since Sharon took power in March 2001 and freezing all settlement activity through its acceptance, albeit conditional, of the roadmap.
There are more than 100 outposts in the West Bank, but Sharon remained vague in his statement about how many would qualify for evacuation.
"We can also reassure our Palestinian partners that we understand the importance of territorial contiguity in the West Bank for a viable Palestinian state," Sharon also said.
"It is in Israel's interest not to govern the Palestinians but for the Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state, a democratic Palestinian state, fully at peace with Israel will promote the long-term security and well-being of Israel as a Jewish state".
But he only referred to the roadmap as the document which Israel approved with a list of 14 reservations attached and coupled with a resolution denying Palestinian refugees their right of return.
Sharon, who spoke after Abbas, also put the onus on the Palestinians and stressed the need for a crackdown on hard line militants.
"As the prime minister of Israel, the land which is the cradle of the Jewish people, my paramount responsibility is the security of the people of Israel and of the state of Israel," he said.
"There can be no compromise with terror and Israel together with all free nations will continue fighting terror until its final defeat.
"Ultimately, permanent security requires peace, and permanent peace can only be obtained through security," Sharon said, in his short address.
"And there is now hope of a new opportunity for peace between Israelis and Palestinians". –Sapa-AFP.
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