Labor won't approve coalition deal until Tuesday

The Labor Central Committee meeting to approve an agreement with Likud on forming a new coalition government has been delayed until Tuesday, Israel Radio reported Sunday. The central committee will also determine the method for electing the eight new ministers granted to Labor under the terms of the deal.

The two sides reached an agreement Saturday, after late-night talks led to a solution to a crisis in negotiations. Labor sources said that the decision to delay the central committee meeting is a matter of logistics, in order to ensure a high turnout of MKs.

The Labor Central Committee may meet again Wednesday to elect the ministers. But Labor is checking the possibility that its party constitution prohibits the central committee from meeting on two consecutive days, in which case the election of the ministers will be delayed until Thursday.

Such a delay would mean that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is unable to present the new government for Knesset approval until next week. Sharon had intended to present the government, consisting of Likud, Labor and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), on Thursday.

The Knesset is expected to discuss Monday an amendment to the Basic Law: Government that will allow for two deputy prime ministers, as Labor Chairman Shimon Peres is slated to serve as a second deputy prime minister in the new government.

According to Israel Radio, the amendment of the basic law is the only remaining major obstacle to a new coalition.

The sides agreed that the law would be changed before the new government is sworn in, but Likud MK Michael Eitan said over the weekend it would be problematic to change the law in such a short period of time.

The radio also reported that Likud accepted Labor's demand for the Environment Ministry portfolio rather than the Tourism Ministry. It was also agreed that Labor will head up the Education Committee and will have a deputy minister in the Welfare Ministry.

Labor and Likud representatives were to meet again Sunday to finalize some of the details, including Peres' role.

Labor will receive eight ministerial posts - the interior, environment, communications, infrastructure and housing and construction ministries; two ministers without portfolio and a special ministerial position for Peres. The party will also receive three deputy ministers.

Regarding the disengagement plan, which Labor cites as its reason for entering the government, Likud agreed that the final government vote on dismantling the settlements in the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank will take place by March 1.

In total, the new government will consist of 64 MKs, of whom will be 23 ministers. If Shas also joins the coalition, it could get the health and transport ministries.

Coalition talks between Likud and Shas yielded no progress Sunday, but Sharon is to meet Monday with Shas Chairman Eli Yishai to discuss the possibility of Shas joining the government in January, if circumstances - such as coordination with the Palestinians over the disengagement plan- allow.

The prime minister, who wants to broaden the coalition base, intends to put aside three portfolios for Shas.

UTJ is expected to receive the chair of the Knesset's Finance Committee and a deputy minister's post. It is demanding a deputy minister's post in the Social Affairs Ministry. The ultra-Orthodox party called off a scheduled meeting with the Likud for Sunday, however, in protest of the Likud and Labor's desecration of the Sabbath in their negotiations Friday.

	Ariel Sharon presiding over a weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on Sunday. (Reuters)