Patten: Sharon's policies caused 'cult of death'

The European Union's external affairs commissioner has hit out at Ariel Sharon, accusing him of provoking an "insane cycle" in the Middle East.
Chris Patten also claimed the Israeli defence forces were "trampling over the Geneva convention"

In an interview with the BBC's Hardtalk programme, he said it was inevitable that Sharon would have to pursue a negotiated settlement to end bloodshed in the region.

He warned: "Until the Israeli politicians and leaders sign up once again to the principles behind the Oslo Agreement, until they sign up to a real Palestinian state, until they recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians...there will continue to be violence."