Date set for Israeli elections

A date has been set for the general election in Israel, following the collapse of the coalition government at the end of last month.

It will take place on 28 January, nine months early.

Opinion polls suggest that the ruling Likud party - led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon - will increase its strength in parliament at the expense of Labor, although no party is expected to win an outright majority.

Mr Sharon dissolved parliament and agreed to early elections after the Labour Party, his largest coalition partner, left the government in a row over budget spending.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service