JERUSALEM, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Some of the illegal settlementoutposts in the West Bank were planned and funded by the Israeligovernment, said an Israeli attorney in a report Wednesday.

   Talia Sasson, author of the report commissioned by Israel'sgovernment over the expanse of outposts, told a press conference atthe Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem that she had found 105illegal outposts, including 54 that were built on land which didnot belong to the state.

   Sasson said the outposts were built on Palestinian-owned landwhich should be dismantled immediately and given back to theirrightful owners.

   She added that a number of government ministries had failed tohand over some of the information she requested.

   The report essentially confirmed longstanding complaints byPalestinians and activist groups like Peace Now that successiveIsraeli governments approved and financed for decades theestablishment of outpost settlements on privately-owned Palestinianland.

   In light of the severe accusations, Sasson recommended that theHousing Ministry be stripped of authority over construction ofsettlements in the West Bank, and that power be transferred to thecabinet.

   The cabinet will discuss the report in its weekly session onSunday.

   The US administration warned Israel on Tuesday that its failureto keep its promise to remove all outposts established in the WestBank since March 2001 will harm relations between the countries,and could have an impact on the US aid to Israel.  Enditem