Ariel Sharon is a farmer-turned-soldier, a war hero-turned-politician, a hard-charging Israeli who built Jewish settlements on war-won land but didn’t shy away from destroying them when they collided with his bigger design.

Israel has recalled its ambassador to Belgium and fired off angry letters to King Albert and his government following a Brussels court ruling that Ariel Sharon can be charged with war crimes when he leaves office.

The Lebanese government has accused Israel of assassinating a former Christian warlord who planned to testify against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a war crimes case in Belgium.

Former Lebanese Christian warlord Elie Hobeika has been killed by a bomb blast at his house, witnesses said.