JERUSALEM, Feb. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli security forces completed demolishing an illegal West Bank outpost on Wednesday after fierce clashes with right-wing activists, local newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported on its online edition.

    Security forces and police razed down all nine houses in the Amona outpost in the West Bank on late Wednesday afternoon after spending over three hours evacuating protestors, according to the report.

    At least 216 people including two legislators and over 160 policemen were wounded in violent clashes. One of the wounded policemen was in critical condition, the report said. 

    In addition, scores of protesters were arrested during the confrontation with the security forces and police.

    The violent evacuation recalled scenes of the Israeli pullout of the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank last summer. 

    Amona is one of the outposts settlers established without authorization to prevent the transfer of disputed land to Palestinians.

    The outpost was the latest battleground for settlers angry overthe unilateral Gaza pullout and keen to prevent additional withdrawals in the West Bank.

    The fresh removal of an unauthorized outpost came as Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has decided to demolish 24 illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank in accordance with the U.S.-backed roadmap peace plan.

    The move is widely seen as Olmert's bid to assert his authority ahead of the March 28 general Elections. Olmert has assumed the power of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who remained in a coma aftera Jan. 4 stroke.  

    Palestinians want both the Gaza Strip and West Bank for afuture independent state and see Israeli settlements as a land grab.  Enditem