Netanyahu shores up Sharon coalition

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, a former prime minister, will join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s faltering coalition government as foreign minister on the condition that early elections are held, a Netanyahu official said yesterday.

Sharon and Netanyahu met yesterday for the second time in three days as Sharon attempted to shore up his coalition, which is in danger of collapse. He also met with representatives of a far-right party who could give him a parliamentary majority if they joined.

Netanyahu "has agreed, though the agreement is connected to the government going to early elections," said Netanyahu spokeswoman Rena Riger. "It's a conditional acceptance we are waiting for an answer from the prime minister." Elections must be held by November of next year, but could take place sooner.