Sunday, November 03, 2002

Netanyahu Says Accepts FM Post if Elections Held

Palestinian officials have expressed alarm at the prospect of an Israeli government dominated by right-wingers and ultra-nationalists.

``There is no limit to the atrocities that can be expected by a government with the kind of names that have been emerging,'' Palestinian cabinet minister Ghassan al-Khatib told Reuters.


Netanyahu has at times been a close partner with Sharon -- who once served as his foreign minister -- but in recent years has criticized the Israeli leader for not employing tougher tactics against Palestinian suicide bombings and other violence in the uprising.

On Sunday, Netanyahu said the two had begun to discuss their political differences to find a common ground.

Netanyahu has advocated expelling Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and has also come out against the creation of a fully-fledged Palestinian state.

Sharon faces fierce U.S. opposition to removing Arafat and has supported a Palestinian state after a lengthy negotiating process to be launched only after violence ends.

Sharon offered Netanyahu, popularly known as ``Bibi,'' the Foreign Ministry post on Friday after Labour's exit, which also left the Defense Ministry vacant.

Former army chief Shaul Mofaz, who led Israel's crackdown against the two-year-old Palestinian uprising for statehood until he stepped down in July, has accepted the defense portfolio. The appointment was to be brought to parliament for approval on Monday.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-mideast.html

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