Israeli right-wing leader Mr Ariel Sharon may find in coming days it was easier to win an unprecedented landslide victory over Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ehud Barak than to stay in power with a fractious parliament.
Mr Barak resigned as Labour Party leader after his crushing defeat in prime ministerial elections yesterday, and political analysts say the move will make it difficult for Mr Sharon to form the wide coalition he wants - although not impossible.
The Likud leader formed a team to launch talks with other political parties today, officials said. He must form a governing coalition by the end of March.
Failure to meet the deadline and pass the state budget would automatically result in new elections for prime minister and parliament.
Pursuing a campaign pledge to form a government with Labour, Mr Sharon appealed to Mr Barak's party late last night to join him in trying to reach an historic peace treaty with the Palestinians and end months of bloodshed.
Reuters