Livni Wins Party Leadership Vote, Will Lead Israeli Govt JERUSALEM (Associated Press) -

TV exit polls say Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has won a clear victory in the party primary election to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The polls were released a few minutes before the end of voting Wednesday night. For an outright victory, Livni needed 40 percent of the vote. The three TV exit polls gave her between 47 percent and 49 percent.

Her nearest rival, former defense minister and military chief Shaul Mofaz, received 37 percent in all three polls.

Livni is Israel's chief negotiator in peace talks with Palestinians. She favors diplomacy to solve Israel's problems, although she has said she would not hesitate to pull the trigger if necessary.

Supporters at her headquarters cheered when the TV stations broadcast their polls simultaneously.
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