Sharon makes conditions for participation in Barak's government

Israeli Likud leader Ariel Sharon said yesterday that he offered the prime minister Ihud Barak the option of meeting his conditions for forming a unity coalition or having into early elections.

Barak stresses on forming an emergency coalition to tackle Palestinian protests in which 130 killed.

Sharon told the members of the right-wing Likud party which he heads "I said to the prime minister please - if we did not reach an agreement now - let us get into the elections."

The Israeli prime minister held more talks concerning the coalition with leaders of three parties which are Medal, Shinoi and Israel Bealia.

Sharon said his most decisive issues will be agreeing on dealing with a decision that may be issued by the Palestinians concerning the independence declaration adding Sharon supports "a more realistic peace policy" and "taking unspecified steps to keep peace."