Tuesday, November 1 2005 09:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday (Oct 31,2005) demanded Palestinian action against terror, singled out Syria and Iran as its sponsors and referring to recent UN actions said the international community is standing up to 'extremist countries' for the first time.

Sharon was uncompromising in his speech, demanding that the Palestinians move against militants as part of the U.S.-backed 'road map' peace plan.

"There is no way around the demand on the Palestinians to carry out their obligation to dismantle the terror groups," he said.

Palestinians complain that Israel has not done its part under the plan, including removal of unauthorized West Bank outposts and halting settlement construction.

Sharon said Israel, "Will continue to defend itself and hit the perpetrators of terrorism," referring to a suicide bombing last week that killed five Israelis.

"We have no choice." Sharon grouped Iran, Syria and Palestinian militants together as hostile elements that "don't need reasons or excuses (to attack Israel) just an opportunity."

"The call of the President of Iran saying he wants to wipe out Israel from the map expresses what many in the region want but are afraid to say aloud," Sharon told legislators.Their murderous intentions are expressed daily in terror attacks like the ones we saw in the past week,'' he said.

"The dispatchers of terrorists from Iran and Damascus, from Gaza and (West Bank towns of) Jenin, from Tulkarem and from Qabatiyeh, from Hebron and Bethlehem, do not need reasons or excuses, only an opportunity," he said.