Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced Thursday he will form a "government of national emergency" within days, following the outburst of violence in the Palestinian territories.
Right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon will be "a very important partner for a government of national emergency", Barak told a news conference in Tel Aviv following a crisis meeting of his cabinet.
Barak, who has been in power since July 1999, said it would take "three or four days" to set up the new government.
"A government of national emergency is indispensable, not only to counter the Palestinians, but also the Arabs, and it answers the expectations of Israelis," he added.
"It could take three or four days, but we must create it, because the serious problems ahead of us have to be faced," added Barak.
Barak has been without a majority in parliament since before the Camp David peace summit in July and faces a possible vote for early elections when the Knesset reconvenes on October 29.
"If the other side doesn't want peace we can't force them," he said. "If it's proven that we don't have a (peace) partner, we will act to separate ourselves from the Palestinians."
Barak had been mulling a possible national unity government with the right-wing since the explosion of violence ripped through the Palestinian territories two weeks ago.
The unrest was triggered by a visit by the hardline Sharon to the al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians said "defiled" the site, which is the third holiest to Islam but is also sacred to the Jews -- (AFP)
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