M A I N   N E W S

Sharon to be new Israeli PM

TEL AVIV, Feb 7 (PTI, AFP, Reuters) — Right-wing Likud Party leader Ariel Sharon today scored a landslide victory over Prime Minister Ehud Barak to become the 11th Premier of Israel.

Sharon, who trounced Barak by around 24 points in a stunning turnaround, became the new Israeli Prime Minister and called for establishment of a national unity government to restore security to Israel and peace in West Asia.

As he accepted his victory over caretaker Premier Barak, the 72-year-old former general called for a unity government and said a peace agreement with the Palestinians would require “painful compromises” from both sides but any talks would be based on security for all parties.

Outgoing Premier Barak conceded defeat within an hour after the poll ended and shocked Israelis by announcing his resignation from Parliament and as Labour Party leader.

In a victory speech to his wildly cheering supporters, Sharon said, “The government, under my leadership, will act to restore security to the citizens of Israel and to achieve a genuine peace and stability to the area”.

“Citizens of Israel, my government will begin a new era of security and national unity”, Sharon said and pledged to work for peace with Israel’s Arab neighbours and the Palestinians, sending a clear message that he planned to continue the peace process.

Conceding victory to Sharon, Barak told a huge gathering of disappointed, yet cheerful supporters that he had full respect for the people’s verdict.

At the end of his 10-minute concession speech, Barak dropped his political bombshell, much the same way Benjamin Netanyahu did in 1999.

Barak said, “It is my intention after the establishment of the new government to quit the Knesset and my position as chairman of the Labour Party, to remain a member of the party, but to leave politics and diplomacy for the time being. After 41 years in the service of the country, Nava and I deserve it”.

Reacting to Sharon’s victory, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said in a conciliatory tone that he hoped the West Asia peace process would continue under Sharon.

“We respect the decision of the Israeli people. We hope the peace process will continue”, Arafat was quoted as saying in Gaza.

TEL AVIV: The passionate followers of Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon stomped on chairs and roared “Arik the king” after the news broke of his titanic election victory.

In a charged atmosphere reminiscent of a football game, many of the hundreds of supporters gathered in Tel Aviv’s exhibition centre, shouting “Ehud go home!” and waved posters saying: “Thank God for the change”.

LONDON: Unease and caution marked early international reaction to arch hawk Sharon’s victory in Israeli elections and along with US congratulations came a call for more West Asia peace efforts.

US President George W. Bush told Sharon in the phone that he was looking forward to working with him on peace issues.

SYDNEY: Australian Jewish leaders saw Sharon’s election as a rejection of Barak’s continued negotiating against the backdrop of a Palestinian uprising rather than an embrace of Sharon.

The former general’s controversial past, including his indirect role in a massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in refugee camps in Lebanon, has left him a much-reviled figure in the Arab world.

“It was unrealistic to expect Barak to continue to achieve a peace in the face of violence. You don’t achieve peace when there’s a gun at your head”, Executive Council of Australian Jewry President Nina Bassat told Australia’s AAP news agency.