| Shimon Peres, veteran Israeli politician and Nobel laureate, sits in the Parliament in Jerusalem as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gives the 'thumbs up' gesture as votes are counted during the Israeli presidential election, June 13, 2007. Peres, who is currently Deputy Premier in Ehud Olmert's government, has held almost every position possible in Israel's various governments, and in the first round of voting received 58 votes to Reuven Rivlin's 37 votes. In the 120-member Parliament 61 votes are needed to win on the first round. A second round of voting is needed, but it appears Peres will win the election and become Israel's next president. (Xinhua/AFP) |
