Quds city, Dec 11, SPA -- Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz quit the right-wing Likud party on Sunday to join Ariel Sharon in the prime minister's new Kadima faction ahead of a March general election, a Kadima spokesman said. The surprise move was the latest high-level defection from the Likud, which Sharon left last month citing frustration with far-right rebels who opposed Israel's Gaza pullout. Kadima spokesman Shmuel Dahan said Mofaz was joining the party. But Dahan declined to comment on an Israel Radio report that Mofaz had agreed to Sharon's request to stay on as defense minister. Army Radio quoted Sharon as saying he was "pleased with Mofaz's decision".