Sharon would have 'wasted time' staying in Likud

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday he left his Likud Party because he didn't want to waste time with political wrangling or squander the opportunities created by the Gaza pullout.

However, he ruled out unilateral withdrawals in the West Bank, and said he remains committed to the internationally backed "road map" plan which calls for a negotiated peace deal culminating in a Palestinian state.

"There is no additional disengagement plan," he said, referring to the unilateral Gaza withdrawal.