Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he is challenging Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the leadership of the main governing Likud Party.
Mr Netanyahu said he would stand in a primary likely to be held before the end of the year.
He will be the main candidate of party hardliners, who are revolting over Mr Sharon's removal of settlers from Gaza and part of the West Bank.
'The Likud needs a leader who can unite the ranks, who can rebuild the ruins and take the Likud to victory,' Mr Netanyahu said as he announced his leadership bid.
A poll of Likud members which was published in Haaretz newspaper last week gave Mr Netanyahu a 47% rating compared to Mr Sharon’s 31%.
