JERUSALEM (AP):

Political newcomer Ami Ayalon and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak were locked in a close race for leadership of the Labour Party, according to poll results broadcast on Israeli television stations.

A Channel Two television poll declared Ayalon, a former navy admiral and head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency, the winner, while an Israel TV poll said Barak received the most votes. Both polls, however, showed the men falling short of the 40 per cent threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

If the results hold up, the men will square off in a June 12 runoff. Final results were expected early today.

The Channel Two poll said Ayalon had 39 per cent of the vote, compared to 33 per cent for Barak and 19 per cent for the current party leader, Amir Peretz.

The Israel TV poll said Barak received 38 per cent, compared to 36 per cent for Ayalon and 17 per cent for Peretz. Neither poll gave a margin of error.