Bush says U.S. opposes Israel undermining Abbas forces

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday Washington opposed any Israeli actions that could undermine Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's security forces.

"To the extent that Israeli actions have undermined the effectiveness of the Palestinian force, or the authority of the state relative to the average citizen, is something that we don't agree with, and have made our position clear," Bush told a news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah with Abbas at his side.

Abbas's government has accused Israel of undermining its security forces by carrying out raids in the West Bank despite a Palestinian security crackdown.