In Israel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has quit the Likud Party and plans to start a new political party. His announcement came just hours after he asked the Israeli President to dissolve the Knesset and call for early elections. Also today, Sharon called the first meeting of prospective members of his new “National Responsibility” party. Sharon’s aides have reportedly said he wants to break with Likkud hardliners who opposed the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Sharon’s announcement came a day after the Labour Party–under the new leadership of Amir Peretz — voted to leave Sharon’s coalition government.