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Israel's Sharon Reoffers Outgoing PM Defense Portfolio
Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon on Friday reoffered outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak the defense portfolio in his incoming government, Israel Radio reported.
Sharon made the offer during his first meeting with Barak since Tuesday's prime ministerial election, during which the hardline Likud leader won a crushing victory over Barak.
In a telephone conversation after exit polls of the election were announced Tuesday night, Sharon asked Barak to lead his Labor Party to a national unity government, in which Barak would assume the post of defense minister.
During their hour-long meeting on Friday, Sharon and Barak discussed the current security and diplomatic situation, as well as the possibility of forging a national unity government.
Barak announced Thursday that he and Minister of Regional Cooperation Shimon Peres would head the negotiating team of the Labor Party to conduct coalition talks with Sharon's Likud party.
Peres, who is in favor of building a national unity government, reportedly told his associates that Barak gave the impression that he would like to be a defense minister under Sharon's leadership.
The senior statesman's remarks came as the Labor Party witnessed mounting internal tensions over the future leadership after Barak announced his intention to resign.
Barak announced Tuesday night during a televised speech that he would resign as Labor chairman and also from the Knesset (parliament).
Peres told Israel Radio on Friday that the Labor Party could join a national unity government if a coalition agreement pledges to continue the Middle East peace process.
Likud representatives, who met with their Labor counterparts Thursday to discuss coalition issues, are continuing talks with other factions in a bid to form a coalition government.
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