Israel's Right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon said Friday he will meet Prime Minister Ehud Barak to discuss joining a national unity government, increasing the prospects of Israel adopting a hard line in peace talks.
"We're seeing that unity is very important, when we see all those problems and dangers that Israel is facing in the present time," said Sharon, who edged past Barak for the first time in an opinion poll published the same day.
Sharon, a hate-figure for Palestinians, who has refused until now to join forces with Barak, did not say when the meeting would take place.
The hawkish Sharon, who opposes the peace process with the Palestinians as negotiated by Barak, hinted that he would seek a harder line if his Likud party was to join the government.
"When you join the government, you have to join or stay for something or on something. You have to decide about the political platform, political plans, what is going to be the peace process," he told CNN - JERUSALEM (AFP)
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