WASHINGTON?The United States demanded the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces Monday from Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank and deplored their killing of ?numerous? Palestinian civilians during the weekend.

U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer was directed to convey the pointed message to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The State Department complaint was the latest in a growing spiral of Bush administration complaints with its closest Middle East ally.

On the Arab front, Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, said terror in the Middle East ?stems mostly from injustice to the Palestinians, who see no light at the end? of ?foreign military occupation? of their land.

Moussa, speaking to the Arab-American Anti Discrimination Committee and the Arab American Institute, praised President Bush for declaring support for establishment of a Palestinian state.