Sharon plans coalition to aid Gaza exodus

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday he planned to replace his minority government with a broad coalition to push through his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Sharon promised not to launch attacks on Palestinians, unless provoked, during the Palestinians’ election campaign.

Mr Sharon’s governing coalition has disintegrated in recent days after the premier fired the moderate Shinui Party for voting against the budget, leaving him with only 40 seats in the 120-member Knesset. If Mr Sharon cannot patch together a new coalition, he will be forced to call early elections, endangering his plans to pull out of Gaza next year.