Netanayhu: No foreign forces allowed

JERUSALEM, June 22 (UPI) -- Ensuring the future Palestinian state remains demilitarized does not mean deploying foreign forces to the area, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the world must agree Israel can take action if the Palestinians violate a demilitarization agreement.

Israel's security cannot be guaranteed without a demilitarized Palestinian state, the paper quoted Netanyahu saying. The prime minister also stressed Israel's demand does not detract "from Palestinian self-determination."

"I understand they need a strong police and security apparatus, and we encourage that, but do they need tanks, artillery or rockets?" Netanyahu asked.

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz reportedly said for progress to move forward in negotiations with the Palestinians, the disarmament and demilitarization of the Gaza Strip must be ensured, the paper said.