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Canada liberals choose new leader Canada liberals choose new leader
(10 minutes later)
Canada's opposition Liberals have chosen a surprise candidate for their new leader - former Environment Minister Stephane Dion.Canada's opposition Liberals have chosen a surprise candidate for their new leader - former Environment Minister Stephane Dion.
He beat the favourite, the prominent writer and academic Michael Ignatieff.He beat the favourite, the prominent writer and academic Michael Ignatieff.
Mr Dion's campaign focused on green issues, pledging to act on Canada's Kyoto protocol commitments.Mr Dion's campaign focused on green issues, pledging to act on Canada's Kyoto protocol commitments.
The Liberals, historically Canada's dominant party, lost power last January to the Conservatives led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.The Liberals, historically Canada's dominant party, lost power last January to the Conservatives led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The BBC's Mike Finnerty at party convention in Montreal says the election was a nail-biter, as 5,000 delegates struggled to decide who was most likely to beat the Conservatives.The BBC's Mike Finnerty at party convention in Montreal says the election was a nail-biter, as 5,000 delegates struggled to decide who was most likely to beat the Conservatives.
Mr Dion needed four rounds of voting to finally beat Mr Ignatieff, the front-runner.Mr Dion needed four rounds of voting to finally beat Mr Ignatieff, the front-runner.
OutsiderOutsider
Mr Ignatieff is a prominent writer, broadcaster and former Harvard academic.Mr Ignatieff is a prominent writer, broadcaster and former Harvard academic.
However his 30-year absence from Canada and his initial support for the US-led invasion of Iraq played against him, our correspondent says. Despite Michael Ignatieff's fame as an author, his support waned.However his 30-year absence from Canada and his initial support for the US-led invasion of Iraq played against him, our correspondent says.
Mr Dion will lead a party that many have called the natural governing party of Canada because of its dominance in the country's politics.Mr Dion will lead a party that many have called the natural governing party of Canada because of its dominance in the country's politics.
But a corruption scandal after almost two decades in office meant the party has spent most of 2006 trying to rebuild.But a corruption scandal after almost two decades in office meant the party has spent most of 2006 trying to rebuild.
Environmental issues dominated the Montreal convention.Environmental issues dominated the Montreal convention.
In his victory speech, Mr Dion made clear he would make the Kyoto Protocol on curbing greenhouse gases a key part of the strategy to win the next elections - which analysts say are likely next year.In his victory speech, Mr Dion made clear he would make the Kyoto Protocol on curbing greenhouse gases a key part of the strategy to win the next elections - which analysts say are likely next year.
Prime Minister Harper has called the Kyoto protocol unrealistic and recently cancelled a meeting with European Union leaders where he was expected to be criticised for his stance.Prime Minister Harper has called the Kyoto protocol unrealistic and recently cancelled a meeting with European Union leaders where he was expected to be criticised for his stance.