Four killed as Israeli election deadline passes

Two Israelis and two Palestinians have been killed as a nominations deadline for the Israeli elections passed.

Prime Minister Ehud Barak resisted pressure to allow Shimon Peres to take his place as the Labour Party candidate.

Mr Barak will face Ariel Sharon in the election on February 6.

An Israeli was shot dead while picking up his car at a West Bank garage, while later, another Israeli died when Palestinians opened fire on his car in the West Bank.

Two Palestinians were killed, one by Israeli army gunfire in the Gaza Strip and the other by fellow Palestinians who suspected him of collaborating with the Israelis.

In four months of unrest, 383 people have been killed, including 322 Palestinians, 13 Israeli Arabs, 47 other Israelis and one German doctor.

Mr Barak has now called off international efforts to arrange a pre-election summit with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The Israeli PM denounced the killing of the two Israelis. He said security for Israelis means separation from the Palestinians, preferably by agreement, but if not, "we will initiate a staged security separation."

Mr Barak has consistently trailed Mr Sharon by 20% in pre-election polls. Some politicians pressed Mr Barak to step down and allow Mr Peres to replace him. Pollsters pitted Mr Peres against Mr Sharon every week and found them running even.