Labour opens way for alliance with Sharon

Sharon needs Labour to rebuild his coalition, avert early elections and overcome rightist rebels opposed to withdrawing from Gaza under a plan seen by Western countries as a possible step to peace with Palestinians after Yasser Arafat's death.

Center-left Labour and Sharon's right-wing Likud began coalition talks on Saturday. Labour leader Shimon Peres, a veteran peacemaker and firm backer of Sharon's "disengagement plan," said a deal could be clinched within days.

Labour was expected to demand as many as 10 cabinet posts, but the party's chief negotiator ruled out preconditions.

"Let this be clear: There will be a government," Haim Ramon told Army Radio on Sunday. "The question is whether we will sit in this government with significant cabinet portfolios, or if we enter this government without portfolios."