Israeli lawmakers overwhelmingly approved dissolving the Knesset (parliament) on Monday evening, paving the way for early elections.

Some 80 of the 120 members of Knesset voted for the dissolution of the parliament, local newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

President Moshe Katsav said that he would accept a decision made by lawmakers to dissolve the Knesset and hold elections in March 2006, eight month ahead of schedule.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon asked President Katsav on Monday morning to dissolve the Knesset and call early elections.

In a Monday evening press conference, Sharon formally announced that he had left the ring-wing Likud party and formed a new party called National Responsibility.

He said that the Likud could no longer lead Israel to its national goals. Staying within the Likud, he said, was a waste of his time and he preferred to serve the nation instead of involving himself in political bickering.

Sharon, however, ruled out unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank, and said he remained committed to the internationally-backed road map plan which calls for a negotiated peace deal culminating in a Palestinian state.

"There is no additional disengagement plan," he said, referring to the Gaza pullout. Sharon said that it is likely more West Bank settlements will be dismantled as part of a final peace deal.

He also reiterated that the Palestinians have to meet their obligations, including dismantling militant groups, before progress can be made on the road map.

Sharon said his decision to leave was fraught with risk. He described his new party as "liberal", adding it would give Israel new hope for peace.

Sharon said he started seriously thinking about leaving the party after Likud hardliners opposed to his disengagement plan thwarted his effort earlier this month to appoint two new Cabinet ministers.

The Gaza pullout created a "historic opportunity," he said. "I will not allow anyone to squander it." 

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2005)