Sharon invites Labour to join coalition

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday invited the opposition Labour Party into the government, seeking to shore up his coalition as Israel’s plans to pull out of the Gaza Strip move into high gear.

The move came a day after Mr Sharon easily won approval from his Likud Party to begin negotiations to bring its traditional rival into the government.

The Likud vote gave Mr Sharon an important political victory as he pushes forward with his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four small West Bank settlements in mid-2005.