Sharon told the newly-elected Labor Party leader that he feels it is irresponsible on Peretz's part to dismantle the unity government and lead to new elections. "But if you have already decided to do so, I won't delay it," Sharon said.
Peretz said afterwards that he responded, "On the contrary; it is undemocratic to call this irresponsible, because elections are to be held in any event next year, so what's the point in retaining a government that cannot function?" Peretz said that any date Sharon chooses between their two birthdays - Sharon will be 78 on Feb. 26, and Peretz will turn 54 on March 9 - is acceptable to him.
At present, it appears that Feb. 28 is the most likely date, as it is the only Tuesday - the traditional election day - that is not otherwise occupied. March 14 is Purim, and March 7, the date of Moses' death, is reserved for commemorating the deaths of soldiers whose burial places are unknown.
Sharon has appointed Likud faction head MK Gideon Saar to coordinate plans for new elections with the other parties.
However, on another critical issue regarding the elections, Sharon has not been as quick: He still refuses to say whether he will seek to head the Likud for the coming elections, or whether he will start a new party.
Though yesterday, sources close to the Prime Minister intimated that Sharon was leaning towards remaining in the Likud, today's spin went in the opposite direction. Minister Tzachi HaNegbi said today, "I can just say that in the next election, Sharon will lead the true Likud Party." When pressed to explain, he backtracked slightly and said, "Either it will be the Likud Party, or he will claim that it is the real Likud."
HaNegbi added his opinion that Sharon has no interest in starting a new party. He acknowledged, however, that the anti-disengagement camp of the Likud - they call themselves the 'Likud loyalists,' though they are popularly known as the rebels - can be expected to give Sharon a very difficult time in the next Knesset if he promotes further withdrawals and major concessions.
MK Uzi Landau, who is seeking to head the Likud for the coming election, had sharp words for Sharon. Noting that the Prime Minister refuses to say whether he will remain in the Likud or not, Landau said, "Perhaps Sharon is not representing the best interests of the Likud? Perhaps he is even planning how to crumble the Likud?"
Asked if he would join Sharon if he quits the Likud, HaNegbi said, "I don't think I would join Sharon in a new party; I don't think such a party would even last more than one term."
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said that he hopes Sharon remains in the Likud, and implied that if not, he himself is likely to run for the party leadership.
Later today, Sharon met with Opposition Leader MK Tommy Lapid (Shinui), and told him that he would announce his personal plans in the coming days.
Peretz said afterwards that he responded, "On the contrary; it is undemocratic to call this irresponsible, because elections are to be held in any event next year, so what's the point in retaining a government that cannot function?" Peretz said that any date Sharon chooses between their two birthdays - Sharon will be 78 on Feb. 26, and Peretz will turn 54 on March 9 - is acceptable to him.
At present, it appears that Feb. 28 is the most likely date, as it is the only Tuesday - the traditional election day - that is not otherwise occupied. March 14 is Purim, and March 7, the date of Moses' death, is reserved for commemorating the deaths of soldiers whose burial places are unknown.
Sharon has appointed Likud faction head MK Gideon Saar to coordinate plans for new elections with the other parties.
However, on another critical issue regarding the elections, Sharon has not been as quick: He still refuses to say whether he will seek to head the Likud for the coming elections, or whether he will start a new party.
Though yesterday, sources close to the Prime Minister intimated that Sharon was leaning towards remaining in the Likud, today's spin went in the opposite direction. Minister Tzachi HaNegbi said today, "I can just say that in the next election, Sharon will lead the true Likud Party." When pressed to explain, he backtracked slightly and said, "Either it will be the Likud Party, or he will claim that it is the real Likud."
HaNegbi added his opinion that Sharon has no interest in starting a new party. He acknowledged, however, that the anti-disengagement camp of the Likud - they call themselves the 'Likud loyalists,' though they are popularly known as the rebels - can be expected to give Sharon a very difficult time in the next Knesset if he promotes further withdrawals and major concessions.
MK Uzi Landau, who is seeking to head the Likud for the coming election, had sharp words for Sharon. Noting that the Prime Minister refuses to say whether he will remain in the Likud or not, Landau said, "Perhaps Sharon is not representing the best interests of the Likud? Perhaps he is even planning how to crumble the Likud?"
Asked if he would join Sharon if he quits the Likud, HaNegbi said, "I don't think I would join Sharon in a new party; I don't think such a party would even last more than one term."
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said that he hopes Sharon remains in the Likud, and implied that if not, he himself is likely to run for the party leadership.
Later today, Sharon met with Opposition Leader MK Tommy Lapid (Shinui), and told him that he would announce his personal plans in the coming days.