JERUSALEM — Elder statesman Shimon Peres today signaled plans to leave the Labor Party after six decades and throw his support behind Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new centrist party.

The move would cap dramatic realignments in Israeli politics over the past month, following the summer pullout from Gaza.

A poll published today showed Sharon's new party — Kadima — has widened its lead and is now positioned to crush its rivals in March elections.

Peres is expected to return to Israel from Spain today and hold a news conference.

Officials close to the longtime Labor leader said he will announce he is leaving political life and will no longer be part of any major party. But he is expected to support Sharon in the election and, under an emerging deal, Peres could receive a Cabinet post in the next government if Sharon wins.

Sharon's new allies have said the prime minister, if re-elected, would strive to draw Israel's final borders and wrap up a peace agreement with the Palestinians in his third term. However, they have also said Israel wants to keep all of Jerusalem and the areas of the West Bank with large Jewish settlements — an offer the Palestinians reject.

By The Associated Press