Barak rejects switch as deadline for changing candidates nears
With the deadline for changing candidates in Israel's election looming Ehud Barak has rejected suggestions that he should let a rival take his place.
Instead, his aides are working on a last-minute summit with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Many beleive that Israel and the Palestinians are close to a peace agreement.
Analysts have said that Barak's only chance to reverse a double-digit deficit in the polls to hard-liner Ariel Sharon is to produce an agreement or a significant sign of progress from such a summit.
Ehud Barak's candidacy has been plagued by the loss of support over the Palestinian issue and by elder statesman Shimon Peres choosing to stand.
