Jerusalem, May 04: Israel's parliament on Tuesday voted down a no-confidence call against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, following his Likud party's rejection of his Gaza pullout plan, a parliamentary spokesman said. The motion was presented by the left-wing Meretz and parliament's three Arab parties against the government's political, social and economic policies. It was defeated by a 62-46 margin.

The stinging setback Sharon suffered when his "disengagement" plan was rejected by his own party on Monday, prompting speculation over his future and fears of a major political upheaval. The leader of the secular Meretz, Ran Cohen, introduced legislation calling for the Gaza Strip's settlement bloc to be dismantled, as well as nine West Bank settlements, including an enclave in the town of Hebron.

Another bill was proposed by a Labour MP for legislation on compensation which evacuated settlers should receive from the Israeli government. Bureau Report