US, UN blast newest Israeli settlements

UNITED NATIONS - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a barrage of UN and US criticism of his country's new settlements in the Palestinian territories in tough talks on Monday.

Israel's approval of 1,300 more homes in annexed east Jerusalem overshadowed Netanyahu's efforts to put pressure on the Palestinians during his US tour and plans to pull Israeli troops out of a contested village on the Lebanon border.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern to Netanyahu about the new settlements, just after the US administration expressed deep disappointment at Israel's announcement.