Haaretz: Sharon leaves Likud party, starts new one

A Haaretz's report today said that Israel's Prime Minster who helped found the Likud party has abandoned it to start a new party called the "National Responsibility" party while holding first meeting with 11 lawmakers.

Haaretz said "The meeting, which was closed to the media, was attended by Likud ministers Tzipi Livni, Ehud Olmert, Avraham Hirschon and Gideon Ezra, as well as by Likud MKs Omri Sharon, Marina Solodkin, Roni Bar-On, Ruhama Avraham, Eli Aflalo and Ze'ev Boim. Sharon's new party aims to attract 14 Likud MKs."

A report said Sharon asked to dissolve the Knesset and call early elections likely to be in March. The leader of the left-wing Meretz-Yahad faction Monday described Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to quit the Likud and form a new party as a "real opportunity" for the peace camp, Haaretz reported.

Haaretz reported: Likud MK Ayoub Kara said Sharon's departure would mark an improvement for the Likud, which had "lost its way under Sharon's leadership." Kara said he was confident that the Likud would keep its power and influence in government even without the prime minister.

"This is a real opportunity for a coalition headed by the peace camp, including former Likud members who understood that for 38 years they have deceived the nation and themselves," Yossi Beilin was quoted saying.