Netanyahu 'wins Israeli election'

Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has won a surprise victory in Israel's election, Israeli media report, after exit polls had suggested a dead heat.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party has won a surprise victory in Israel's election, Israeli media report.

Earlier exit polls had suggested a dead heat with centre-left Zionist Union.

With most votes counted, Likud is said to be on course to take 29 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, with the Zionist Union on 24 seats.

If confirmed, this would indicate another coalition government led by Mr Netanyahu.

Mr Netanyahu would need support from other parties to form a coalition.

In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv after Tuesday's polls closed, Mr Netanyahu said he had already spoken to the leaders of other right-of-centre parties about forming a new government "without delay".

He described the vote as a "great victory" for Likud, which had trailed the Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the election.

Mr Netanyahu said the result was achieved "against all odds".

Source: bbc