Barak wins Labor nod; Bibi set to announce

TEL AVIV — Ehud Barak's bid for reelection has moved into high gear.

The incumbent prime minister submitted his resignation to President Moshe Katsav. The resignation prompts a campaign for elections that will take place in 60 days.

The date is expected to be set for Feb. 6.

Hours later on Sunday, Barak won Labor Party endorsement for its candidate as prime minister.

As Barak won endorsement from his party, his challenger, former Prime Minister Binyamin ("Bibi") Netanyahu, arrived in Israel. Netanyahu, who cannot run against Barak unless the Knesset dissolves itself, said the parliament and Israeli people would reject what he termed as the efforts to deny him the right to participate in the race.

"When someone is afraid of a challenge, apparently there is a reason," Netanyahu said, referring to Barak. "It's not even a joke. It's tragic."

On Monday, the Knesset is scheduled to proceed with legislation that would disband parliament and call for new elections. At that point, Netanyahu could declare his candidacy.

For their part, Palestinian Authority officials expect the Israeli elections campaign to end any attempt to renew the peace process. Officials said Barak was forced to call for new elections amid the pressure by the Palestinian mini-war in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

"This means that the peace negotiations would stop until the end of the Israeli elections," PA Chairman Yasser Arafat said. "It is not the first time that peace negotiations have stopped. It stopped several times and deals have not been implemented."

Israeli sources said Transportation Minister Amnon Shahak has held secret meetings with Arafat. They said the two men held as many as four meetings over the last two weeks.

But in Washington, President Bill Clinton said he would continue with peace efforts. "Regardless of developments in Israel, both sides still must focus on two objectives — ending the violence and finding a way back to the peace process," a White House statement said.