Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, February 10, 2003
Sharon Calls on Labor to Join Coalition Government
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday renewed call for the Labor party to join his future coalition government for the benefits of Israeli people and peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday renewed call for the Labor party to join his future coalition government for the benefits of Israeli people and peace.
"Whoever says no to the unity coalition government is betraying the will of the people... any party that seeks peace must join the government," the prime minister said in an allusion to Labor.
Sharon made the remarks at the president residence in Jerusalem,where President Moshe Katsav authorized Sharon to form the 30th Israeli government within 42 days.
Katsav's authorization came after his consultation with representatives of other Knesset parties.
Last month, Sharon's Likud party won the general elections for the 16th Knesset (parliament) and became biggest political party.
Sharon's Likud is expected to begin negotiations with other parties elected to the Knesset on a coalition government.
The influential Labor party, the favorite Sharon wants for the future coalition, is yet to respond to Sharon's invitation.
Labor Chairman Amram Mitzna announced Saturday that the party will not send a negotiating team to meet with Sharon.
Without Labor's support, analysts believe the prime minister would unite his Likud, the secular Shinui and the National Religious party to establish a narrow coalition, which will control61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.