"I don't know what he is coming to see" in Israel, Sharon said of Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who was due in Israel later on Tuesday.

"Israel is obliged to hold in its own hands all the force components needed for its defence," Sharon added, in a brief statement carried on Israel's military radio.

"Our policy of ambiguity on nuclear arms has proved its worth, and it will continue," Sharon added. He did not elaborate.

Many foreign experts believe that Israel does possess a nuclear arsenal, comprising around 200 warheads.

ElBaradei, whose Vienna-based agency is charged with monitoring the non-proliferation of nuclear arms around the world, has recently been investigating concerns that Iran might be trying to develop such weapons.

Israel has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the main agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

Elbaradei is due to meet Sharon on Wednesday, the radio said.

WAR.WIRE