UNITED NATIONS, July 13: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday urged Israel not to build its West Bank barrier after the Sharon government acknowledged the wall would isolate tens of thousands of Palestinians living in Al Quds.

“Mr Annan has asked the Israelis not to go forward with actions that could create facts on the ground and could affect any future final settlement negotiations,” chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in response to a reporters’ question.

Israel says the barrier is intended to keep out Palestinian suicide bombers.

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