Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon looking up towards a presentation given in his Jerusalem offices on plans to develop the Negev Desert. Photo by Fitoussi Olivier / Flash90

Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres (R) and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon joke together during a presentation on plans to develop the Negev Desert. Israel‘s longest serving legislator, Shimon Peres, resigned from the Knesset (parliament), Israel Radio reported Sunday 15 January 2006. Peres, currently abroad, sent a fax message to this effect to Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin. The resignation was accepted, although Knesset regulations stipulate that a legislator who resigns from the House has to present his resignation letter in person. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi / Flash90

**FILE**A portrait of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a meeting while he served as Prime Minister of Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi /Flash90

**FILE2005** Yonatan Bassi Director, Sela Disengagement Authority at press conference Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90 16/11/2004