Sharon pleads for support in Gaza vote

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told parliament yesterday he is determined to press ahead with his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank.

He also said that he remains open to peace talks with the Palestinians after their violent uprising ends.

In a speech repeatedly interrupted by heckling, Mr Sharon appealed to MPs to vote for his “unilateral disengagement” plan tomorrow after four years of violent conflict with the Palestinians.