MIDDLE EAST: A feisty-sounding Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, facing a barrage of criticism for his alleged role in a bribery scandal, yesterday told loyal supporters of his ruling Likud party that he was not entertaining thoughts of resignation and planned being around at least until 2007, when elections are next scheduled.
"I came here as Prime Minister and as chairman of the Likud, a position I intend to fill for many more years, until 2007 at least," Mr Sharon told cheering supporters in Jerusalem, in his first public comments since an Israeli businessman and Likud power-broker, Mr David Appel, was indicted on Wednesday on charges of bribing the Prime Minister to the tune of $690,000.
The attorney general must now decide whether to press charges against Mr Sharon.