Hawkish Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu claims Israel's withdrawal from al-Quds will allow Iran to create a base there.

"The Iranian threat (must be neutralized) before it arms itself with a nuclear bomb. In addition, Iran must be prevented from building its main bases in the region, from Gaza to Lebanon, and particularly in Jerusalem [al-Quds]," he said.

"Hamas, Iran and other forces affiliated with them will take control of it. They will threaten Jerusalem [al-Quds]'s wellbeing, Israel's security and the freedom of worship for millions of pilgrims and members of the different religions who visit the city today," he told US Vice President Dick Cheney to justify his blocking of a plan to cede parts of al-Quds to Palestinians.

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Cheney is on a 10-day trip to the Mideast to buy support for US policies against Iran's nuclear program.

He visited Iraq and Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia where King Abdullah expressed his opposition to any US military action against Iran.