Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday announced his much-anticipated return to politics, saying he will run for the leadership of the Labor Party, a first step toward trying for the country's highest office again, according to The Associated Press. The announcement by Barak, 63, one of Israel's best-known figures, immediately shook up the race for the top spot in Labor, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's main coalition partner. Labor primaries are set for May. Barak spent nearly six years in political exile after he was crushed by Ariel Sharon in a 2001 election, following a short and stormy premiership that collapsed after failed efforts at making peace with Syria and the Palestinians. The former army commando and chief of staff said he would run against the party's current leader, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, whose popularity has plummeted following Israel's inconclusive summer war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
