Tel Aviv  - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is leading over her main rival, Shaul Mofaz, in the primaries of Israel's ruling Kadima party, first results show.

With some 10 per cent of the votes counted by midnight, Livni stands at 53.1 per cent of the vote, against 31.7 for Transportation Minister Mofaz.

The other two candidates, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, have thus far obtained 10.3 per cent and 4.8 per cent of the vote respectively, Israel Radio reported.

Three independent exit polls broadcast by Israel's main television channels predict Livni will obtain around 47-49 per cent of the final vote. Mofaz will receive some 37 per cent, all three polls predict, while Sheetrit and Dichter are expected to get some 6-7 and 7-8 per cent respectively. (dpa)