AL QUDS, July 11: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered on Sunday that construction work continue on the West Bank separation barrier despite a world court ruling that it was illegal.

The order followed intra-ministerial consultations some 48 hours after the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its non-binding verdict, a statement from the premier's office said.

"Prime Minister Sharon directed that construction of the separation fence continue in accordance with the guidelines determined in the high court of justices decision on June 30 and that the struggle against the opinion of the ICJ be continued by all diplomatic and legal means," the statement said.

"Prime Minister Sharon asked Attorney General Mazuz and justice ministry representatives to present him with a legal analysis of the ICJs opinion as soon as possible, as well as recommendations regarding what steps - including legal - the political leadership might take."

Judges at Israel's highest court ruled late last month that part of the barrier - a montage of electric fencing, barbed wire and concrete wall - should be rerouted north of Jerusalem because it infringed the rights of some 35,000 Palestinian inhabitants.

But the supreme court also confirmed in effect the government's right to build the barrier on security grounds. Sharon had earlier told the weekly cabinet session that he had no intention of paying heed to the ICJ decision.

"The ruling totally ignores the reason behind the construction of the security barrier which is Palestinian terrorism," he told his ministers. Meanwhile Mr Sharon said that the deadly bomb attack by a bus stop in Tel Aviv on Sunday was carried out "under the patronage" of the world court after it ruled Israel's West Bank barrier was illegal.

"An hour ago, an Israeli woman was murdered by Palestinian terrorist criminals and other civilians were killed. We are all praying for their wellbeing," Sharon said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting here. -AFP