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Sharon links blast with barrier

Tel Aviv - Blast at busy bus stop
Tel Aviv - Blast at busy bus stop

The Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, has linked a bomb explosion in Tel Aviv this morning with last week's ruling by the International Court of Justice declaring the controversial West Bank barrier illegal.

The bomb, which exploded beside a bus stop, killed a woman and injured up to 20 other people. 

Police say the device was not carried by a suicide bomber but had been planted among bushes next to the depot. It exploded during the morning rush hour.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Palestinian leadership, meanwhile, has decided not to press for a United Nations resolution on the West Bank barrier until after November's US presidential election.

It does not want to risk facing opposition from the Bush administration during the election campaign.