Tel Aviv  - Despite his narrow gap in exit polls behind the ruling Kadima Party of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory in Tuesday's Israeli elections and said he would become Israel's next prime minister.

He noted the right wing block had become a majority in the Knesset and his Likud had more than doubled its mandate in the Israeli Parliament.

That, he said, "has one clear meaning, that the people want change. The people want to travel a new path. Our path has won and we will be the path that will lead the nation."

"With the help of God, we will stand at the head of the next government," the former Israeli premier said. (dpa )