Israel's opposition Likud leader, Ariel Sharon, has abandoned talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on forming a national unity government, his party spokesman said Wednesday.
The spokesman said Sharon "views seriously the fact that the prime minister accepted to continue negotiations (with the Palestinians) on the basis of Camp David as if nothing had happened."
The references were to Barak's accord with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat sealed at Sharm el-Sheikh Tuesday, their inconclusive Camp David summit in July, and the violence which has rocked the Palestinian territories for nearly three weeks, killing more than 100 people.
"In these circumstances, Mr. Sharon considers there is no valid reason to continue negotiations with a view to forming an emergency government," the spokesman added.
The party leadership would meet later Wednesday to approve Sharon's decision, he said – JERUSALEM (AFP)
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