Likud adds star power ahead of Israel elections

Occupied Jerusalem: High-profile Israelis who take a tough approach to the Arab world are streaming into Benjamin Netan-yahu's Likud Party.

They're adding star power and an even more hawkish edge to a faction well placed to win February elections.

The new faces also suggest that the party might put a halt to peace talks that resumed nearly one year ago.

Likud ruled Israel for the better part of three decades but was stripped of most of its heavyweights after former Israeli leader Ariel Sharon bolted the party in November 2005 and formed Kadima.

Polls show Likud and Kadima Party running neck-and-neck ahead of February 10 parliamentary elections.