Sharon vows to retain as Likud's head

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday that he plans to defeat resigned Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the race for ruling Likud's leadership and continue leading the country after the pullout.

"I don't intend to retire and rest," Sharon told TV Channel 1 in an interview. "I certainly plan to continue and do the things that need to be done for the good of the country, with the hope of reaching a political deal (with the Palestinians) that will lead to peace."

He said he has no plans to split the Likud and he plans to defeat Netanyahu, a strong figure in Likud, in the race for the party's leadership and head the country once again.

Earlier in the day, Sharon associates supported the idea of creating a Likud breakaway party after a poll showed Netanyahu would win the Likud chairmanship.

"I'm a Likud man," Sharon said. "I had the privilege of establishing this framework, and I plan to run in the Likud framework, to win in the Likud framework, to form the government and move the State of Israel forward."

Sharon rejected charges he had initiated the disengagement to avoid an investigation of alleged corruption.

"This decision (to withdraw from Gaza and part of the West Bank) was the hardest decision that could be," he said, adding there is no personal motivation.

"We're not writing history -- we have to do what's good for the State of Israel, what's important for the State of Israel," he said.

Sharon also made his first public comments on Netanyahu's decision to resign from the government right before the implementation of the pullout, saying the "evasion" was irresponsible and fueled by personal motivations.

"I don't know why he resigned," Sharon said. "He had supported the disengagement plan a number of times in the past."

The prime minister said Netanyahu quit on the eve of the most complicated and difficult process in Israeli history.

"I would not say this evasion warrants a medal of honor," Sharon said. "It was extremely irresponsible."

Earlier this week, Netanyahu, a Likud hardliner, resigned as finance minister in an apparent bid to take control of the Likud from Sharon. Polls have indicated Netanyahu has a chance to become Likud leader and next prime minister thereafter.

Analysts have speculated that the Netanyahu-Sharon rivalry will lead to a split in the Likud and the formation of a new, centrist party. Israeli national elections are slated for November 2006.

Source: Xinhua