Likud party rebels turn on Sharon

FACING an outright revolt and demands for a referendum from within his Likud party, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sought to face down the rebels yesterday, vowing that he would not give in to “pressures and threats” over his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Four Cabinet ministers - led by Sharon’s top rival, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - voted along with a majority of lawmakers who approved the Gaza plan on Tuesday. But the four said they would step down if the prime minister did not commit to a national referendum on it.

The turmoil raised new doubts about Sharon’s ability to go ahead with the planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank next summer, as pledged.