Parties Split Over Peres Role in New Cabinet

Talks aimed at forming a broad-based coalition government with the right-wing Likud and leftist Labor parties broke off today over what position Labor leader Shimon Peres might have in a new Cabinet.

A Labor Party statement broadcast by Israel radio said there appeared to be “no basis” for continuing exploratory talks about joining Likud.

Officials said the talks broke down over Labor demands for senior Cabinet posts and an active search for peace negotiations with the Arabs, who have revolted against Israeli rule in the occupied territories since Dec. 8. At least 314 Palestinians and 11 Israelis have died in the unrest.

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, headed by Peres, left open the possibility that talks could resume later.

Some Labor Party officials said it was likely, however, that Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir would form a narrow government with small religious and right-wing parties.

2 Major Portfolios

Another Shamir aide who demanded anonymity said the talks deadlocked over Labor’s demand that it get two of the four major portfolios--prime ministry, defense, foreign affairs and finance.

Israel radio quoted Labor officials as saying they believe that Shamir faces a difficult task in working out an agreement to satisfy ultra-Orthodox interests without alienating Jewish supporters of Israel abroad.

The political developments occurred as Israeli warplanes today blasted guerrilla bases near the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon, killing six PLO guerrillas and wounding nine, police in Lebanon said.

In Jerusalem, a military spokesman confirmed the attack and said the targets were guerrilla headquarters that served as launching points for attacks against Israel. Lebanese police said fighter-bombers rocketed guerrilla bases in the Ein el Hilweh refugee camp in four sorties.