Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon lacks the “political will” to abide by a peace plan that could result in a Palestinian state by the end of 2005, the head of the Arab League said in comments broadcast on Monday. Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the pan-Arab body, told the BBC that if both Palestinians and Israelis adhered to the “Road Map” peace plan, a Palestinian state would be possible within the plan’s original time table.

“If there is a political will and determination and the Israeli government accepts the `Road Map’ and goes ahead in implementing their obligations, and also the Palestinians, I believe by the end of 2005 we will be in a position to declare the state,” he said. He added: “I doubt Mr. Sharon has the political will.”

The US-backed “Road Map” peace plan originally envisaged an independent Palestinian state by 2005 but US President George W. Bush has said continuing violence between Palestinians and Israelis makes that vision unrealistic. The plan calls for an end to violence by both sides and the resumption of negotiations.

Last week, Sharon said Yasser Arafat’s death could be a turning point for peacemaking but he would pursue a unilateral plan that would strip Palestinians of some land they want for a state. Sharon said he still wanted to reach a negotiated agreement with the Palestinians based on the “Road Map”, which charts steps to a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza alongside a secure Israel.