Sharon to Retire

The Israeli PM plans to retire to his Sycamore ranch, according to reports published in the past hours. It is said that Sharon's team has conducted private opinion polls that are indicating that all critical Likud votes would go against him. The central committee will decide to bring forward the leadership primary election from April to December, as demanded by former PM Netanyahu and others. Debka's Washington sources says that President Bush has already been informed of Sharon's plan to retire. Sharon is not expected to set up a new party alliance.