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Netanyahu set to win Likud race Netanyahu wins Likud leadership
(about 3 hours later)
Former Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu looks certain to be re-elected as leader of the main right-wing opposition party, Likud. Former Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been re-elected as leader of the main right-wing opposition party, Likud.
Projections on Israeli television show Mr Netanyahu winning 75% of the vote. Mr Netanyahu won 73% of the vote. In his victory speech, he vowed to focus Likud's efforts on bringing Israel a new leadership.
Likud did poorly in last year's elections. Mr Netanyahu said his victory would mark the beginning of a true race for the Israeli leadership. Recent polls show Mr Netanyahu would be a popular choice for prime minister.
Mr Netanyahu was prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and has since held several senior cabinet posts.Mr Netanyahu was prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and has since held several senior cabinet posts.
With some 80% of the ballots counted in Tuesday's election, Mr Netanyahu far outstripped his main rival, the hardline religious challenger, Moshe Feiglin. Party officials released final election results early on Wednesday - showing Mr Netanyahu had far outstripped his main rival, the hardline religious challenger, Moshe Feiglin, who won 23% of the vote.
BBC correspondents say Mr Netanyahu's popularity has soared in opinion polls since last year's inconclusive war in Lebanon. Last year Mr Netanyahu led Likud to a crushing defeat in parliamentary elections.
But BBC correspondents say his popularity has soared in opinion polls since last year's inconclusive war in Lebanon.
Israeli general elections are due in 2010 but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's approval ratings have dropped and some commentators anticipate elections as early as next year.Israeli general elections are due in 2010 but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's approval ratings have dropped and some commentators anticipate elections as early as next year.
Mr Olmert heads the centrist Kadima party.Mr Olmert heads the centrist Kadima party.
"This evening, when we close the ballot boxes, we begin our campaign for the prime ministership and to bring a future of hope to our country," Mr Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday. "Tonight the internal contest ended, and as of tomorrow, we will focus our efforts on bringing a new leadership to Israel," Mr Netanyahu told supporters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
He had appealed to Likud members to vote as he feared a low turnout may play into the hands of Mr Feiglin. Polling stations were even opened in some Israeli holiday resorts. He had appealed to Likud members to vote as he feared a low turnout might play into the hands of Mr Feiglin.
Around 40% of Likud's 95,000 members cast ballots across the country. Polling stations were even opened in some Israeli holiday resorts.