Sharon wins election for Likud leader

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Former Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon handily defeated his two opponents in elections to head the opposition Likud Party.

Sharon received 53 percent of the vote. His two opponents were former Finance Minister Meir Shetreet and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert. Olmert received 24 percent and Shetreet received 22 percent.

"We will win," Sharon said of the next national elections. "God willing, we will win."

Voting turnout was low among the 144,000 Likud members eligible to vote.

Political analysts said Sharon, 71, is expected to serve no more than two years. The party has scheduled another leadership vote in two years to pick a candidate for elections scheduled in 2003.

They said Sharon was supported by former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

The Likud sustained a setback in May elections when Netanyahu lost his bid for reelection and the party dropped from 32 to 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset.