Sharon facing an uncertain future

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dismissed as "despicable libel" allegations about his involvement in a financial scandal that has cast a shadow over the upcoming Israeli election.

"I came here tonight to respond to the despicable libel that has been made against me with one purpose, to bring down the government in Israel and to seize power through lies," Mr Sharon told a nationally-televised media conference yesterday.

Mr Sharon attacked the opposition Labour Party, accusing it of being behind allegations of corruption in his ruling Likud Party.