Embattled Sharon vows to press on with Gaza pull-out

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed yesterday he would push ahead with a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, despite a stinging setback to the plan from his Likud Party.

A Likud convention voted overwhelmingly last night to bar Mr Sharon from inviting the opposition Labour Party into the government.

Although Mr Sharon insisted the vote was not binding, it could endanger the Gaza withdrawal, which he hopes to complete next year. Mr Sharon is courting Labour to shore up support in parliament for the withdrawal plan.