MIDDLE EAST: Shimon Peres ended weeks of speculation over this political future following his recent overthrow as leader of Israel's Labor Party when he announced his support last night for prime minister Ariel Sharon in elections next March
Mr Peres (82) said last night that his "period of service" within Labor had come to an end and that he supported the peace efforts of Mr Sharon, who recently broke away from his ruling Likud Party to set up the centrist Kadima Party.
"In my opinion, the appropriate person to head the coalition that will bring peace is Arik [ Ariel] Sharon," Mr Peres told a press conference in Tel Aviv.
The Nobel peace laureate, who is more respected abroad than at home, is expected to join a future government led by Mr Sharon's new party, which opinion polls show is likely to emerge as the largest party in the next parliament.
Mr Peres is unlikely to join Kadima, but local reports suggest he could be appointed as a peace envoy with responsibility for talks with Arab governments, in addition to being given responsibility for developing outlying parts of Israel.