'Israel OK without Sharon'

2006-01-08 13:15

Jerusalem - Acting Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert insists the Israeli government is functioning despite the absence of leader Ariel Sharon.

Olmert made the comments on Sunday as he chaired the first weekly meeting of the Israeli cabinet since Sharon's stroke.

Olmert said he was determined to get on with business but extended his wishes for Sharon's recovery: "If I could talk to him today, I am sure Arik would tell me: 'Thanks for your wishes, but you must work to safeguard the safety and economy of Israel' and that is what we will do.

"Over the last days, we have all heard the reports on the state of the prime minister's health and we were happy to hear there is a glimmer of hope."

Government officials said the issue of whether to allow Arabs living in annexed east Jerusalem to vote in this month's Palestinian elections could be discussed at the cabinet meeting.

Olmert is Israel's finance minister and one of Sharon's deputy prime ministers. He was handed the reins of power after Sharon suffered a massive brain haemorrhage on Wednesday.

The finance minister chaired an emergency meeting of the cabinet on Thursday, but Sunday was the first time normal government business was to come under discussion.

Four ministers from Sharon's old right-wing Likud party, including Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom, had been due to hand in their resignations on Sunday.

Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu decided to delay the move in to demonstrate national unity.

- AFP