Peres defection from Labour a coup for Sharon

FORMER Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres quit the Labour Party yesterday, leaving his political home of nearly six decades to campaign for Ariel Sharon's new centrist party.

The 82-year-old, who has held every major cabinet position, left Labour after his humiliating loss to union leader Amir Peretz in the race for party leader three weeks ago.

He said he was supporting Mr Sharon because he had the best chance of restarting the peace process with the Palestinians.