Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has hailed his Likud Party's election triumph as "historic" after official results gave it a convincing victory over its leftist rivals. In a vote which produced the lowest turnout in Israeli election history, Likud captured 37 seats - almost doubling its representation in the Knesset (parliament). The emphatically secular Shinui Party also did well, becoming the third largest grouping in parliament. However the main opposition Labour Party suffered its worst ever election defeat, having failed to woo voters frustrated by continued Palestinian suicide attacks. Party leader Amram Mitzna has ruled out joining a right-wing coalition. Palestinians have described the outcome as counter to the interests of peace, and warned their situation was likely to deteriorate further.

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