Mr Ariel Sharon formally took over the office of Israeli Prime Minister from Labour's vanquished Mr Ehud Barak today - the day after his national unity government was overwhelmingly approved by parliament.
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Ariel Sharon takes over as Israeli Prime Minister today
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"The problems confronting us, security and diplomatic problems, involve some of the most complex issues in Israeli society that have to be tackled," Mr Sharon said at a handover ceremony at the prime minister's Jerusalem office.
Mr Sharon (73), leader of the right-wing Likud party, was swept to power in an election last month on a promise to bring security after months of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
"We are facing a period that is not going to be easy," Mr Sharon said.
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AFP