Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told a parliamentary committee Tuesday the country will soon have protection against 90 percent of the missiles fired at it. Barak's appearance before the Knesset Control Committee with Lt. Gen.

By MARK LAVIE JERUSALEM - Two Katyusha rockets fell on northern Israel Sunday, the first fired from Lebanon since last summer's inconclusive war with Hezbollah guerrillas. No one was hurt, but there was some damage, police and the military said.

Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres was the victor Wednesday in the country's first Knesset vote for a new president. Peres won the first round of voting.

By Donald Macintyre The former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak claimed victory last night in the race to lead the Labour Party after exit polls predicted a narrow victory.

Israel's Labor Party voted in a runoff leadership election yesterday pitting former prime minister Ehud Barak against ex- intelligence chief Ami Ayalon, a race that may help decide Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's future.