Negotiators for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Likud party chief Ariel Sharon have reached a partial accord on conditions for a national emergency government, an Israeli official said Friday.
"Mr. Sharon's representative MP Meir Sheetrit and Communications Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer, acting for Mr. Barak, have reached an understanding on four out of six points on the formation of such a government," said Ben Eliezer's spokeswoman Tami Shenkman.
"I don't know which points are still in dispute and those which have been resolved. The final issues will probably be resolved directly between Mr. Barak and Mr. Sharon at a meeting that could take place on Saturday evening," she told AFP.
Barak has been wooing his political adversary to form a national unity government after declaring a time-out in the peace process with the Palestinians because of a month of deadly clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Barak has been leading a minority government for more than three months and without a deal with Likud he faces the prospect of a move to early elections after parliament returns from its summer recess on Monday -- JERUSALEM (AFP)
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