The World - News from March 10, 1986

Israel’s right-wing Herut Party, linchpin of the Likud Bloc, opened its convention, and former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin named Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir as his choice to succeed him as leader of the divided party. Shamir, now foreign minister in a coalition with Prime Minister Shimon Peres’ Labor Party, is to take over as prime minister in October under an agreement with Peres. Shamir’s bid for the leadership was challenged, however, by Trade and Industry Minister Ariel Sharon and Housing Minister David Levy. Shamir can become prime minister regardless of the convention outcome but would be in an untenable position without party support.