ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed yesterday he would push ahead with a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, despite a stinging setback to the plan from his Likud Party.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed today he would push ahead with a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, despite a stinging setback to the plan from his Likud Party.

Yasser Arafat has held a “stormy and tense meeting” with reformers in his parliament, refusing to sign anti-corruption legislation and follow through on a speech in which he pledged to carry out comprehensive reforms, an MP said.