Israeli MPs approve withdrawal from Gaza
Sharon won the backing for his so-called disengagement plan of around 66 members of the 120-seat parliament, or Knesset, where massive security, including thousands of police and water cannon, was in place for the vote.
However, victory came only thanks to support from the left-wing opposition Labour and Yahad parties, with nearly half the MPs from Sharon's right-wing Likud party voting against the premier.