Israeli Prime Minister-elect Mr Ariel Sharon said today he was
confident he would form a national unity government within daysdespite turmoil within his main prospective partner, the Labour Party.
|
|
Mr Ehud Barak
|
“I am prepared to show patience in this matter. It will take severalmore days (but) this thing will happen - it is simply something thatwill come about. I will not give up on it,” he said in a speech,referring to a unity government.
Mr Sharon made no mention of which cabinet posts he planned to offerLabour following an announcement by caretaker Prime Minister EhudBarak that he would not seek the defence portfolio and that he wouldmake good on an election night promise to quit as Labour leader.
Israel Radio reported that Mr Sharon, who crushed Mr Barak in theFebruary 6 prime ministerial election, had subsequently offered thejob to former Labour Prime Minister Mr Shimon Peres.
A spokesman for Mr Sharon said the incoming leader had yet to make afirm offer to anyone. A spokesman for Mr Peres declined to confirm ordeny the report.