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Israeli MPs elect new president Peres 'set to become Israel head'
(29 minutes later)
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has begun voting to elect the country's new president. Veteran politician Shimon Peres is set to become Israel's president after his two rivals pulled out of the race.
Incumbent Moshe Katsav has been on leave of absence since he was accused of rape and other sexual offences. He denies any wrongdoing. Mr Peres earlier won a first round of voting in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, but not by a wide-enough margin to beat his rivals outright.
Shimon Peres, from the ruling Kadima Party, is standing again after losing to Mr Katsav seven years ago. He had been facing Reuven Rivlin of the opposition Likud and Labour's Colette Avital for the mainly ceremonial role.
Reuven Rivlin of the opposition Likud and Labor's Colette Avital are also running for the mainly ceremonial role. Incumbent Moshe Katsav is on leave of absence since being accused of rape and other sexual offences, which he denies.
The secret ballot is scheduled to last until 1400 (1100 GMT), with the results due to be announced 30 minutes later. Shimon Peres, from the ruling Kadima Party, stood again after losing to Mr Katsav seven years ago.
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 successInternational 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. It is the second attempt by 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 and 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, 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.