Al-Quds city, May 24, SPA -- Israel's defense minister says nearly two dozen West Bank settlement outposts will be torn down with force, if necessary. Ehud Barak made the comments Sunday, days after Israeliforces removed one such outpost, according to a report of Associated Press. For years, Israel has promised the United States to removeunauthorized outposts in the West Bank, but has takenlittle action. The Obama administration is putting heavy pressure onIsrael to halt settlement activity. Ahead of the government's weekly Cabinet meeting, Baraksaid he will try to persuade settlers in the outposts toleave peacefully. But if that fails, he said he would notrule out the use of force. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/667568