Netanyahu wins battle for leadership of Likud

Benjamin Netanyahu, a former UN ambassador known for his suave style and flair for publicity, was elected leader of Israel's right-wing Likud party, according to results yesterday, AP reports from Jerusalem. Mr Netanyahu, 43, who takes over from the former prime minister Yitzhak Shamir, took 52.4 per cent of the vote. His closest rival, the former foreign minister David Levy, got 26.9 per cent.