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11/30/2005:

"Peres to quit Labour Party to back Sharon"

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Elder statesman Shimon Peres will announce on Wednesday he is quitting the Labour Party and supporting Ariel Sharon in Israel's March 28 election without joining the prime minister's new party, Channel 10 TV said.

Channel 10 said Peres, attending an Israeli-Palestinian soccer match in Barcelona, conveyed his decision to one of its reporters accompanying him on the visit.

There was no immediate confirmation from Peres' advisers, who said earlier on Tuesday he may leave Labour and could announce his decision on his return to Israel on Wednesday.

Channel 10 correspondent Gilad Yadin, reporting from Barcelona, said Peres had decided to quit Labour, which ousted him as leader in a November 9 election, and "embark on a new political path".

Peres, he said, would announce his support for Sharon and the prime minister's new party, Kadima, on Wednesday but would not become one of its members.

Peres, 82, would also not run for parliament in the March 28 poll, the reporter said.

"Upon my return I shall announce it. In my eyes it's not a problem of parties but a problem of peace -- how to create a strong coalition for peace," Peres told reporters in Barcelona on Monday.
reuters.co.uk