Sharon has 20% lead in Israeli election poll

Ariel Sharon is maintaining a 20% lead over Ehud Barak in the battle to be Israeli Prime Minister, a new poll reveals.

With the election due on February 6, The Jerusalem Post poll showed Mr Sharon with 50% and Mr Barak with 30%. The poll queried 600 Israelis with a 4% margin of error.

The election campaign has focused on Mr Barak's attempts to make peace with the Palestinians and four months of violence.

Mr Barak has offered far-reaching compromises for peace, but Mr Sharon has criticised the offers. He says they would give the Palestinians no more territory than they already control and would not conduct negotiations unless the violence stops.

Two Israelis and two Palestinians were killed by gunfire in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Thursday.

The deadline for switching party candidates passed on Thursday. Mr Barak has been under pressure to step aside and let Shimon Peres run as Labour Party leader.