Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has told people close to him that he did not intent to resign despite the indictment of a businessman on charges of attempting to bribe him, military radio reported on Thursday.
It quoted him as telling reporters after the indictment Wednesday of a local property developer: "I will continue to be prime minister by the end of the year, all the rumours about my eventual resignation or about a voluntary suspension of my functions are just foolishness."
The radio said judicial officials could decide in the coming weeks whether there were grounds to indict Sharon himself. The final decision on Sharon will be made when all the relevant material is completed, including another interrogation of the Israeli leader, reports said.
Meanwhile, a solid majority of 64 percent of the Israeli public says that if it transpires that Sharon was involved in criminal affairs, then he would have to resign, according to a survey conducted by Haaretz newspaper and a local polling agency. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
