News In Brief

Israel's ex-defense chief in comeback at the polls

Israel's controversial former defense minister, Ariel Sharon, made a strong political comeback Wednesday, winning the No. 3 spot in his party's choice of parliamentary

candidates in the July general elections.

Mr. Sharon will actually be the No. 4 candidate, since Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, who heads the right-wing Herut (freedom) Party, did not have to run for election in the party's 900-member Central Committee.

Deputy Prime Minister David Levy won the top spot and Defense Minister Moshe Arens took second place.