This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6743365.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Barak to lead Israel Labour party Barak to lead Israel Labour party
(about 7 hours later)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has won the country's Labour party leadership vote, officials from both camps have said. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has won the country's Labour party leadership election.
Although votes are still being counted, Mr Barak is expected to emerge victorious by only a slight margin over ex-security chief Ami Ayalon. Mr Barak won 51.2% while ex-security chief Ami Ayalon gained 47.7%, with the remaining ballots spoilt, with 103,000 party members eligible to vote.
Incumbent Amir Peretz, who was heavily criticised after the 2006 Lebanon war, was knocked out in the first round.Incumbent Amir Peretz, who was heavily criticised after the 2006 Lebanon war, was knocked out in the first round.
Both candidates want PM Ehud Olmert to resign over his handling of the war. Both candidates said they wanted to see PM Ehud Olmert resign over his handling of the war.
"It seems that Ehud Barak won the elections, and both sides agree on this," Labour party general secretary Eitan Cabel, from Mr Barak's camp, told the AFP news agency. "Today starts the long and arduous task ... to unify the state of Israel ... It is also the beginning of our mission to repair the people's faith in its leaders," said Mr Barak after the result was confirmed.
Former party general secretary Nissim Zvili, who had sided with Mr Ayalon, said: "We can see that Barak appears to have won the vote." Earlier, correspondents said neither Mr Barak nor Mr Ayalon were likely to bring down the coalition led by Mr Olmert's Kadima party, as opinion polls indicate the right-wing Likud opposition would be likely to win in the event of a general election.
The election will be decided by several hundred votes to this or that side Labour official Nissim Zvili Profiles: Barak and Ayalon
Earlier, correspondents said neither Mr Barak nor Mr Ayalon are likely to bring down the coalition led by Mr Olmert's Kadima party, as opinion polls indicate the right-wing Likud opposition would be likely to win in the event of a general election.
Mr Barak, casting his vote north of Tel Aviv, said: "I call on voters to think about who is better to lead the country in a time of war and who has the most courage to make peace."Mr Barak, casting his vote north of Tel Aviv, said: "I call on voters to think about who is better to lead the country in a time of war and who has the most courage to make peace."
Mr Ayalon, who voted in Haifa, said: "Those who want a new way for the Labour party should vote for me." Both candidates said they wanted to replace Mr Peretz as defence minister, a role that he took, unusually in Israeli politics, despite not having had a military career.
Exit polls showed Mr Barak with a slight lead over his rival, polling between 50% and 52%, after the party's 103,000 registered members had their chance to vote.
The final results may not be published until Wednesday.
Both candidates say they want to replace Mr Peretz as defence minister, a role that he took, unusually in Israeli politics, despite not having had a military career.