Likud vote 'will not halt Sharon'

Sharon's plans render some West Bank settlements permanent

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will implement his Gaza pull-out plan whatever the outcome of Sunday's Likud party referendum, advisers say.

Sharon aide Lior Horev told Army Radio that he would accept the result, but would also "act in the ways that are open to him to move the plan forward".

The prime minister was bound by Likud's decisions, but was also leader of the whole country, Mr Horev added.

Every poll published in Friday's press indicated Likud would reject the plan.

The disengagement plan includes a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, but the permanent retention of several large settlements in the West Bank.

On Thursday, the prime minister told a series of interviewers his mind was made up and he would not even contemplate losing the vote.

Mr Sharon said a defeat for the plan would mean victory for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the militant group Hamas.

Confidence

In the radio interview, Mr Horev said that despite their concerns, Mr Sharon's supporters expected Likud voters to show confidence in him.

"If they understand that this is a vote of no-confidence for the prime minister, I have no doubt that Likud members will, at the end of the day, vote in favour," he said.

Mr Sharon has already said the referendum has no legal force.

If Israel withdraws, it will still control the border crossings with Gaza

The 193,190 members of Likud eligible to vote on Sunday have all received an explanatory booklet on the plan and the referendum.

Voting will take place from 0800 (0500 GMT) to 2200 (1700 GMT).

Mr Sharon insists that his plan will bolster Israeli security, but many settler groups and their supporters disagree, portraying it as handing a victory to Palestinian militant groups.

The Sharon plan gained controversial backing from US President George W Bush earlier in April, who said it was "unrealistic" for Israelis to leave some population centres on occupied land.

International law views the settlements as illegal and past peace accords stipulated that nothing should be done to prejudice final status negotiations with the Palestinian side that would decide their fate.