Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon officially invited the leader of the opposition Labour party, Shimon Peres, and those of two religious fractions to coalition negotiations with the approval of his Likud party, Israeli radio reported Friday. Sharon telephoned the leader of the opposition early Friday and also invited the leader of the Shas party and United Torah Judaism party, the, radio, monitored in Riyadh said. The central committee of Israel's governing party, Likud, approved Thursday by a 62 per cent majority the formation of a grand coalition with Labour and ultra Orthodox parties. The Labour party will convene Saturday in order to seal the coalition negotiations which are expected to begin on Sunday. Peres told Israeli radio Friday that the invitation was a "great opportunity", saying people expected Israel to move towards peace. Political analysts have said the decision marks a huge victory for Sharon in his battle to implement the withdrawal plan from the Gaza Strip. --More 1803 Local Time 1503 GMT
