Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new National Responsibility party was formally approved by the Knesset (parliament) House Committee on Wednesday, local newspaper Jerusalem Post reported.

Committee members from the Likud opposed the approval, claiming the party's name did not match its content, but they had no authority to postpone the formation of the party by law.

National Religious Party (NRP) Chairman Zevulun Orlev also raised opposition to the name of Sharon's party, for the acronym in English of the newly formed party is identical to his.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister without Portfolio Haim Ramon on Wednesday publicly announced that he would join Sharon's party.

The former Labor party minister expressed sadness over leaving his traditional party, but emphasized that he acted following his beliefs.

Sharon quit the ruling Likud party on Monday to form the new centrist party to capitalize on high popularity among average Israelis after Israel completed its withdrawal of soldiers and settlers from Gaza in mid-September under Sharon's disengagement plan, which was fiercely opposed by some Likud members.

Sharon will lead his new party into early elections set on March 28, 2006, a date announced by Israeli President Moshe Katsav on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the president also signed a decree to dissolve the parliament, paving the way for early national elections originally slated for November 2006.

His departure sent shock waves across Israel's political landscape and added variables to the volatile Mideast peace process.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2005)