Israeli right-wing leader said his party, Likud, must decide on when to hold an internal election for its new leader and next candidate for prime minister as soon as the results of the Camp David summit are known, reported The Jerusalem Post.
Ariel Sharon told the paper he has conducted polls that have shown he can defeat any of the candidates expected to challenge him, except for former chairman and prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
"Netanyahu will definitely be a problem," said Sharon, adding that anyone is entitled to run.
Right before the summit, Sharon stopped a discussion among Likud leaders on planning a leadership primary.
He had to do so then, he explained, because the party had to be seen as united while Barak held negotiations with US President Bill Clinton and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
Sharon predicted that even if Barak reaches an agreement with the Palestinians, it will not pass a referendum, despite what he called the "threats" Barak has leveled against potential opponents, both in Israel and abroad, added the paper.
"I envy Arafat in that he understands that without consulting with the Muslim world, he cannot make a decision on Jerusalem. Barak must know that without consulting with the Jewish world, he cannot make concessions on Jerusalem," said Sharon, the paper said – Albawaba.com
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