TULKAREM, Dec 29: Palestinian presidential election favourite Mahmud Abbas said the West Bank barrier would not deliver security to Israel as he addressed voters who have been walled in by the giant structure.

"Neither settlements, nor the wall will bring peace and security," PLO chairman Abbas told around 8,000 supporters in the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem. "We say to our neighbours (the Israelis) that no matter how many walls and obstacles you build, they will not bring you peace and security."

The barrier - a montage of concrete, razor wire and electric fencing - is being built across the West Bank in what Israel says is a bid to prevent attacks on its territory by Palestinian militants.

The Palestinians however regard its route, often jutting deep into their territory, as proof of its real intent to appropriate land and prejudge the borders of their promised future state. -AFP