"It's important to know that at the end of negotiations with Syria, Israel would have to leave the Golan Heights," a parliamentary source quoted Sharon as telling parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee.

MPs interpreted his comments as meaning that Sharon was ruling out an early resumption of peace negotiations that broke off four years ago over the fate of the Golan, Israeli radio reported.

The right-wing Israeli leader has frequently dismissed the idea of withdrawal from the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau seized from Syria in 1967 and annexed by Israel 14 years later.

Israel has responded sceptically to peace overtures from Damascus, saying Syria would have to first curtail all support for Palestinian militants and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, splits emerged in Sharon's inner cabinet over the route of the separation barrier which some ministers believe should be modified.

Sharon postponed a debate about route at a session on Sunday aimed at drawing up a strategy for an International Court of Justice hearing on the controversial project.

"We are not discussing a change in the route of the fence, and there will be no change as a result of Palestinian or United Nations' demands, including those from the court," Sharon said.

However, he said: "It is possible that additional thought is needed to allow for the possibility of changing the route, in order to reduce the number of mishaps in operating the fence without harming security."

The legality of the barrier, which has drawn condemnation even from Israel's top ally the United States, is to be debated by the The Hague-based court on February 23 following an Arab-backed request by the UN General Assembly.

The Palestinians see the barrier as a land-grab and a bid to pre-empt the borders of a future Palestinian state, but Israel says its "counter-terror fence" is aimed at preventing attacks by Palestinians militants.

Last week, acting Attorney General Edna Arbel warned that Israel was likely to face serious legal difficulties in defending the barrier's route, which cuts deep into the West Bank in places and has divided several Palestinian villages.

Justice Minister Tommy Lapid is proposing to shorten the barrier by 200 kilometres (125 miles) and ensure it follows the Green Line separating Israel from the West Bank which would save an estimated 500 million dollars and could enable Israel to better make its case at the ICJ.

But Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz is opposed to any changes.

"As defence minister I can show you how each centimetre of the fence is needed by us to defend the citizens of Israel," the Maariv daily quoted him as saying.