Likud meets to decide on new way
Likud faction convenes on Monday without PM Sharon, retiring MKs. We must tackle these difficult developments, temporary party Chairman Tzahi Hanegbi says, adds Central Committee to decide on primaries Thursday
The Likud faction has held a historical meeting Monday at the Knesset - the first to convene in the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who announced his retirement from the party in a letter to the Likud Central Committee Chairman Tzahi Hanegbi on Monday.
Hanegbi was appointed to replace Sharon as temporary chairman of the Likud, following the prime minister's withdrawal from the party.
Sharon was not the only member to skip the meeting: The other MKs who declared they intend to leave Likud and join Sharon during a meeting with the PM Monday morning, were also absent.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, whom the prime minister approached and attempted to persuade to quit Likud and follow him, skipped both meetings.
'We have only a few weeks'
The Likud meeting was opened with a formal announcement by faction Chairman Gideon Sa'ar that Sharon is no longer a member of the party. Sa'ar also referred to the potential scenarios that may ensue as a result of Sharon's resignation: A continuation of the process to dissolve the Knesset, initiated by the opposition parties; or an attempt – however desperate – to form a new government.
The chairman went on to introduce the party's temporary Chairman, Tzahi Hanegbi, who presented before the participants the legislative clauses that authorize his appointment.
MK Michael Eitan proposed to raise a toast for the occasion, and jokingly remarked that Hanegbi "has waited for this moment his entire life."
Hanegbi pledged to work to bridge the gaps between the seven contestants over party leadership, and said he intends to convene the Likud Central Committee on Thursday, in order to decide on a date for the primaries.
"We have only a few weeks to tackle these last developments, which we must admit have pushed the Likud into a difficult period," Hanegbi stated.
Attila Somfalvi contribute to the report
