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Israel to elect its new president Israeli MPs elect new president
(about 2 hours later)
Israel's parliament, the Knesset, is to due to hold a vote shortly to elect the country's new president. 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.
Veteran politician Shimon Peres is standing again after losing to Mr Katsav seven years ago. 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.
If no candidate wins the majority of the 120 votes in the Knesset, a second round will be held between the two who receive most support. The secret ballot is scheduled to last until 1400 (1100 GMT), with the results due to be announced 30 minutes later.
It is the second attempt by Mr Peres to become Israel's president. 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.
He represented Labour in the 2000 election, won by Mr Katsav. This time he will be the candidate of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party. 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 1995-1996SHIMON 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, held numerous ministerial posts, but lost general elections in 1977, 1981, 1984, 1988, and 1996. He has been Israeli prime minister and held numerous ministerial posts, but lost general elections in 1977, 1981, 1984, 1988, and 1996.
This time round, 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. 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.