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Israeli MPs elect new president | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has begun voting to elect the country's new president. | |
Incumbent Moshe Katsav has been on leave of absence since he was accused of rape and other sexual offences. He denies any wrongdoing. | Incumbent Moshe Katsav has been on leave of absence since he was accused of rape and other sexual offences. He denies any wrongdoing. |
Shimon Peres, from the ruling Kadima Party, is standing again after losing to Mr Katsav seven years ago. | |
Reuven Rivlin of the opposition Likud and Labor's Colette Avital are also running for the mainly ceremonial role. | Reuven Rivlin of the opposition Likud and Labor's Colette Avital are also running for the mainly ceremonial role. |
The secret ballot is scheduled to last until 1400 (1100 GMT), with the results due to be announced 30 minutes later. | |
If none of the three candidates wins the majority of the 120 votes, a second round will be held between the two with the most support. | |
International success | |
It is the second attempt by veteran politician Mr Peres to become Israel's president. He represented Labour in the 2000 election, won by Mr Katsav. | |
SHIMON PERES Born 1923 in PolandEmigrated to British-administered Palestine 1934Member of parliament since 1959 Prime minister in 1984 and 1995-1996 | SHIMON PERES Born 1923 in PolandEmigrated to British-administered Palestine 1934Member of parliament since 1959 Prime minister in 1984 and 1995-1996 |
Mr Peres is currently Israel's vice premier and minister of development for the Negev and Galilee regions. | Mr Peres is currently Israel's vice premier and minister of development for the Negev and Galilee regions. |
He has been Israeli prime minister and held numerous ministerial posts, but lost general elections in 1977, 1981, 1984, 1988, and 1996. | |
This time, the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, whose support for Mr Katsav proved crucial in 2000, is expected to back Mr Peres, says the BBC's Adrian Dalingwater. | |
His greatest successes have come on the international stage, and he was the guiding light behind Israel's first interim peace accord with the Palestine Liberation Organisation in 1993 in Oslo. | His greatest successes have come on the international stage, and he was the guiding light behind Israel's first interim peace accord with the Palestine Liberation Organisation in 1993 in Oslo. |
A high point of Mr Peres' long career came in 1994, when he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role. | A high point of Mr Peres' long career came in 1994, when he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role. |