Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 05, 2002
Israeli President Agrees to Hold Early Elections
Israeli President Moshe Katsav announced Tuesday morning that he has agreed to a request by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to dissolve the Knesset (parliament) and call general elections in early February, 2003.
Israeli President Moshe Katsav announced Tuesday morning that he has agreed to a request by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to dissolve the Knesset (parliament) and call general elections in early February, 2003.
The president made the announcement at a press conference in hisJerusalem residence.
"Sharon asked me to dissolve Knesset, and I agreed to the request," Katsav said, adding that he has informed the prime minister of his consent for early elections.
The president also calls on all parties to "cooperate as long asgrave security situation goes on."