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Israelis await election outcome Israelis await election outcome
(30 minutes later)
Counting is under way in Israel after polls closed in the country's snap general elections.Counting is under way in Israel after polls closed in the country's snap general elections.
Results are expected to be close, with exit polls giving the ruling centrist Kadima Party 30 seats to 29 for the right-wing opposition Likud.Results are expected to be close, with exit polls giving the ruling centrist Kadima Party 30 seats to 29 for the right-wing opposition Likud.
Ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu is forecast to be third, pushing Labour into an unprecedented fourth place. Both camps are claiming victory. Ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu is forecast to be third, pushing Labour into an unprecedented fourth place.
The first official results are not expected for several hours. Final results will come within days. The first official results are not expected for several hours.
Final results will come within days.
Cheers erupted at Kadima's headquarters as the exit polls were announced on Israeli TV.Cheers erupted at Kadima's headquarters as the exit polls were announced on Israeli TV.
Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, had held a solid lead in opinion polls prior to the election, but Kadima, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, closed the gap in the final days.Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, had held a solid lead in opinion polls prior to the election, but Kadima, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, closed the gap in the final days.
Israelis define their politics according to their views on the conflict with the Palestinians class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7878046.stm">Jeremy Bowen's Election Diary Complications
Despite the exit polls, Mr Netanyahu claimed victory, saying a Likud-led government will lead Israel. Despite the exit polls, Mr Netanyahu claimed victory, saying a Likud-led government will lead Israel. Israelis define their politics according to their views on the conflict with the Palestinians class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7878046.stm">Jeremy Bowen's Election Diary
"With God's help I will lead the next government," he told cheering crowds at Likud's Tel Aviv headquarters.
But Kadima lawmaker Haim Ramon said only his party could lead the next government.
"We are the only party that can approach both the right wing and the left," he said.
Correspondents say that a right-wing coalition would complicate things for US President Barack Obama, who is promising a strong push for peace in the Middle East.Correspondents say that a right-wing coalition would complicate things for US President Barack Obama, who is promising a strong push for peace in the Middle East.
Analysts say Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu, could be a key figure in deciding the next government.Analysts say Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu, could be a key figure in deciding the next government.
"Lieberman has emerged as the kingmaker," said Menachem Hofnung, a professor of political science at Hebrew University."Lieberman has emerged as the kingmaker," said Menachem Hofnung, a professor of political science at Hebrew University.
"He is the winner of these elections and it depends on who he sides with over the next few weeks as to who will be prime minister.""He is the winner of these elections and it depends on who he sides with over the next few weeks as to who will be prime minister."
Coalition taskCoalition task
Elections were called early after Ms Livni failed to form a new government following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down last year amid a corruption probe against him.Elections were called early after Ms Livni failed to form a new government following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down last year amid a corruption probe against him.
The Labour Party appears to have performed poorlyThe Labour Party appears to have performed poorly
Even if the exit polls are proved right, a strong showing by right-wing rivals will make it difficult for Ms Livni to form a coalition government.Even if the exit polls are proved right, a strong showing by right-wing rivals will make it difficult for Ms Livni to form a coalition government.
Israel's president traditionally chooses the leader of the party that wins the most parliamentary seats to form a coalition government.Israel's president traditionally chooses the leader of the party that wins the most parliamentary seats to form a coalition government.
But he can also choose any party leader who he believes has the best chance of doing so.But he can also choose any party leader who he believes has the best chance of doing so.
President Shimon Peres is expected to hold talks with party leaders later this week, after the final results are in.President Shimon Peres is expected to hold talks with party leaders later this week, after the final results are in.
Once he has asked a party leader to form a government, he or she has up to 42 days to do so. If the coalition attempt fails, Mr Peres can ask another leader to assume the task.Once he has asked a party leader to form a government, he or she has up to 42 days to do so. If the coalition attempt fails, Mr Peres can ask another leader to assume the task.
Mr Olmert will stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.Mr Olmert will stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.
The election has been dominated by security issues following Israel's offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.The election has been dominated by security issues following Israel's offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Although the Palestinian Authority has not expressed preference for any candidate, its senior negotiator, Saeb Erakat, expressed dismay that right-wing parties had performed so well.Although the Palestinian Authority has not expressed preference for any candidate, its senior negotiator, Saeb Erakat, expressed dismay that right-wing parties had performed so well.
"It is obvious the Israelis have voted to paralyse the peace process," he said."It is obvious the Israelis have voted to paralyse the peace process," he said.