Israel's first female foreign minister has a chance to become the country's next prime minister.
Tzipi Livni, expected to become leader of Israel's ruling Kadima party, has come from relative political obscurity to within sight of the prime ministership within just 10 years.
Ms Livni, 50, a lawyer, former Mossad agent and mother of two, has also moved from a strongly Zionist nationalist background to become a passionate advocate of a land-for-peace deal with the Palestinians.
In her nearly two years as Israel's second ever female foreign minister, she has led the team under Prime Minister Ehud Olmert negotiating with the Palestinian Authority.
She remains highly popular with the Israeli public, seen by many as a "Ms Clean" - a fresh alternative to a political establishment dominated by ageing, military males, many of whom have been tainted by corruption.
