Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his closest aides have launched a high pressure offensive to shore up collapsing support in the Likud just two days before the party votes on the planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
At a meeting with his associates, Sharon yesterday said he did not intend to worry about "the day after" and would concentrate on winning the referendum. He said he is intent on winning support despite the apparently grave situation.
In television interviews to be broadcast tonight Sharon will say he would find it difficult to contemplate how he could continue to lead the government and run the country if he lost the referendum.
While this does not amount to a declared intention to resign, it is meant as a warning, if not an outright threat, to Likud members that his defeat would endanger the party's hold on government.
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