News In Brief

Israeli leaders agree to general election in July

Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and opposition Labor Party leader Shimon Peres agreed Wednesday to hold a general election on July 23, starting the shortest campaign in the country's history, Army radio reported.

Mr. Peres at first had pressed for polls in May, while Mr. Shamir wanted the vote put back until November. They agreed on July 23 after meeting twice Wednesday in parliament.

Labor Party parliamentarians, who hope to exploit their lead in opinion polls , hailed the decision as an important tactical success.