Sharon puts off vote on Gaza plan

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has postponed the vote on his Gaza pullback plan until next week's cabinet meeting, public radio reported Sunday.

"There will be a full and open discussions within the government on the plan. We will start this process today and continue it next week," Sharon said in comments broadcast by the radio.

The Israeli premier submitted the revised disengagement plan to a government debate on Sunday and warned that he is ready to take "unprecedented political steps," including the dismissal of ministers, in order to make his plan be passed.

"I am determined to pass this plan, even if I am forced to change the make-up of the government or to take unprecedented political steps," he was quoted by the Israel Radio as saying.

In the 23-member Israeli cabinet, 11 ministers are reportedly in favor of Sharon's plan, while 12 ministers oppose the initiative.

Source: Xinhua