Sharon invites Labour Party into coalition
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon invited the Labour Party into his governing coalition today, a day after winning approval from the ruling Likud Party to bring its traditional rival back into the government, a Labour spokesman said.
Sharon called Labour leader Shimon Peres early today to invite him to open negotiations about forming a new coalition, said Yoram Dori, a spokesman for Peres.
Israel Radio said Sharon also planned to invite the religious parties United Torah Judaism and Shas into the coalition.
Sharon needs Labour’s support to shore up his coalition government and push forward with his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next year.
Hard-line opposition has left Sharon with a minority coalition of just 40 seats in the 120-member parliament.
