New PM for Canada

OTTAWA - The Defence Minister, Kim Campbell, was poised early today to become Canada's first female prime minister after she won the first ballot in the Conservative leadership battle, but fell short of the simple majority needed to succeed Brian Mulroney, writes Hugh Winsor.

But she immediately won the backing of the third-place candidate, Jim Edwards, virtually ensuring victory over her main rival, Jean Charest, the Environment Minister. The second ballot of the 3,400 delegates was due to start later. The winner will automatically take over from Mr Mulroney as prime minister in two weeks.

In Turkey, the ruling True Path Party yesterday elected Tansu Ciller as its leader and eventually the country's first female prime minister.

Women take the lead, page 11