Israeli police questionedPrime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon for seven hours today overpolitical funding scandals that could dent his widespread publicsupport among Israelis.
Police are investigating the right-wing leader and his twosons over a $1.5 million loan from a South Africa-based friendused as collateral to repay what judicial authorities found tohave been illegal contributions to Mr Sharon's campaign forelection as Likud party chief in 1999.
Another scandal revolves around what police say was a bid bya developer with Likud ties to buy a Greek resort island withthe help of Sharon when he was foreign minister by employing hisson Gilad and donating to his campaign chest.
Mr Sharon has denied any wrongdoing and promised to cooperatewith the investigation.
"He was questioned for seven hours about the Greek islandaffair and the session is over," a police spokesman said afterinvestigators left Mr Sharon's official residence in Jerusalem atthe end of their first meeting with the prime minister.
There was no immediate comment from Mr Sharon or his office orany police announcement about further questioning.
Political commentators said that while Mr Sharon's image hasbeen tarnished in Israel, he faces no imminent risk of beingforced from office as he still enjoys strong public support forhis tough approach to a three-year-old Palestinian uprising.