Former Israeli Prime Minister Mr Benjamin Netanyahu threw his weight behind Likud leader Mr Ariel Sharon's bid to replace Mr Ehud Barak as prime minister in the upcoming February 6th election.
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Mr Ariel Sharon |
Mr Sharon and Mr Netanyahu, who had been rivals for the right-wing party's leadership, buried the hatchet, at least temporarily, during a meeting at a Jerusalem hotel that began with a handshake and ended with a news conference at which Mr Netanyahu said he would campaign on Mr Sharon's behalf.
"I am acting with all my might to...bring Ariel Sharon to power", Mr Netanyahu said.
Polls show Mr Sharon, 72, a former army general, ahead of Mr Barak even before this endorsement by Mr Natanyahu.
"I am not exaggerating if I say I understand the importance of peace more than many politicians," Mr Sharon said after the meeting.
"For me peace must be peace for generations with Jerusalem as the united and indivisible capital for eternity, with the Jordan Valley, with the required security areas and with no return of Palestinian refugees."
Mr Sharon has criticised Mr Barak for considering giving up sovereignty over East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967 and annexed in a move not recognised internationally. He advocates implementation of a peace plan in stages over a number of years.
Reuters