JERUSALEM, April 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Arial Sharon said Sunday that the separation wall would be completed before the final pullback from the Gaza Strip, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

    His announcement at a cabinet meeting was regarded as bowing to Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as this was one of the Netanyahu's conditions for supporting Sharon's disengagement plan.

    Sharon also announced the creation of a team headed by himself and attended by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz to expediting the fence's construction.

    Netanyahu is expected to announce his formal support for Sharon's disengagement plan, Israel Army Radio reported on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, following the cabinet meeting, Education Minister Limor Livnat said she will support the plan "with a broken heart."

    she added she decided to support the plan after receiving assurances that building in major settlement blocs will continue and that the security fence will be built before any withdrawal takes place.

    Saturday's assassination of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi is expected to increase support for Sharon's plan ahead of the May 2 Likud referendum on the plan. Enditem