Sharon to evacuate all Gaza settlers

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon intends to evacuate all Jewish settlers from Gaza, his deputy said yesterday. The move hardens a pledge to pursue a landmark withdrawal plan rejected by his own Likud party.

Amid discord in Israel over Mr Sharon's "disengagement" plan, US national security adviser Condoleezza Rice will meet Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia in Berlin in mid-May for what would be his highest-level talks with US officials.

Mr Qureia confirmed the meeting, saying he wanted Washington to push Israel to implement a stalled "road map" peace plan.