Sharon pushes Gaza withdrawal plan

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday that Yasser Arafat’s death could be a turning point for peacemaking but he would pursue a plan that would strip Palestinians of some land they want for a state.

Palestinians named a collective leadership, made up mainly of moderates, that will replace Mr Arafat for the time being, and called for revived statehood talks that Israel had ruled out as long as the former guerrilla leader was in charge.

World leaders voiced hope for a return to diplomacy and US President George W Bush promised Washington’s support.