Barak talks of a return

FORMER Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who almost reached a peace deal with Yasser Arafat, announced yesterday he will seek the leadership of the opposition Labour Party.

Senior party officials criticised the former general’s political comeback bid, saying Barak had made many mistakes in his short term, which lasted from 1999-2001.

Barak’s announcement came at a time when early elections are becoming more likely. The next vote is set for 2006, but Prime Minister Ariel Sharon lost his parliamentary majority earlier this year when ultra-nationalist members of his coalition fought his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next year.