JERUSALEM, July 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Wednesday presented Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with several changes to the planned separation fence route in the West Bank in a bid to exclude some Palestinian villages.

    The current fence route cuts off several Palestinian villages from other villages and towns in the West bank, Mofaz said, adding the changes would allow the opening of routes for the Palestinian residents.

    The changes would prevent legal difficulties that could delay the completion of the fence's construction, Mofaz said.

    Sharon approved the recommendations which will be presented for vote at the next cabinet meeting on Sunday.

    Mofaz ordered on Tuesday the construction of the fence be accelerated in the coming weeks, with top priority given to the fence in Jerusalem.

    He also ordered officials to step up their efforts in resolving legal problems obstructing the construction of several segments.

    The fence around Jerusalem is slated to become operative in October, even if a few sections will not be completed by then.

    The fence planners are also designing a series of new roads that will reduce the harm the fence causes to Palestinians' freedom of movement.

    Israel began building the separation fences at the height of violence with the Palestinians to stop militants from crossing into Israel and carry out attacks. Enditem