Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will not make a policy statement on his revised disengagement plan to the members of Israeli Knesset (Parliament) as scheduled on Monday, Israeli Army Radio reported.  

The announcement was made by Israeli Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, the radio said, adding that the statement will be presented next week.

According to the radio, the statement is to be followed by a discussion on the issue and a largely symbolic vote by Knesset members, which is non-binding on the government.

Opposition Knesset members are criticizing the move, calling it an "escape" by a prime minister interested in no more than keeping his job, the radio reported.

After a stormy day in the cabinet, Sharon's disengagement plan was due to move to the Knesset on Monday.

Sources close to Sharon told Israeli Army Radio Monday morning that the prime minister is expected to tell Knesset members there is no other choice other than a full disengagement in the Gaza Strip.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2004)