(27 Feb 2001) Hebrew/Nat
XFA
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak visited Israeli Defence Force troops at the main army base near the West Bank City of Ramallah on Tuesday.
He arrived in a convoy of cars for a swift farewell visit and tour of the base at the Ayosh junction at Beit El.
The base, just outside Ramallah, is the headquarters for all the West Bank forces.
Barak, who has held the twin portfolio's of Prime Minister and Defence Minister, personally thanked soldiers for their efforts during recent difficult times.
The visit comes the day after the Labour Party voted to join a coalition government. The Labour vote late on Monday
handed Sharon his first post-election victory, following his February 6 trouncing of Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Sharon wants a broad-based government to face Palestinian violence.
The vote at the Labour convention was 67 to 32 percent in favour of entering a coalition, but the wide margin did not hide deep Party divisions.
Barak will step down as soon as Sharon forms his new Government.
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