Israeli Defence Minister quits Likud to join Sharon

Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz has quit the Likud party to join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, another aftershock from the political earthquake Sharon set off when he formed his new centrist party.

The defection yesterday of Mofaz, who was one of the most prominent remaining Likud leaders, further marginalised the increasingly hard-line party and gave Sharon added momentum as he prepared to begin his campaign for the March 28 elections.