Sharon bids for coalition

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, riding high on a sweeping victory by his right-wing Likud party, yesterday grappled with how to forge a lasting coalition after an election that redrew Israel’s political map.

Sharon quickly appealed to other factions to join a broad “unity” government to confront the twin crises of a Palestinian uprising and possible war in the Gulf, but the centre-left Labour Party resisted despite its worst election defeat.

Sharon could be forced into an alliance with far-right and ultra-nationalist parties that demand an even harder line against the Palestinians, a move that could put the re-elected prime minister at odds with Israel’s chief ally, the United States.