BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhuanet)-- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says the cabinet will vote to authorize the start of the pullout from the Gaza Strip.

    Reports say Sharon had planned to seek cabinet approval in April or May for the actual removal of all 21 settlements in Gaza and a further four in the northern West Bank.

    However, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz advised him to speed up ratification on the reason that the government should give settlers at least six months' notice before evacuating them.

    Under his suggestion, Sharon will ask the government to make a final decision in January or February instead of in April or May.

    Sharon said he does not believe the precise date of evacuation should be made public as yet. According to the prime minister, the evacuation will begin in either late June or early July 2005.

(CRIENGLISH.com)