The initial results of Israel’s elections receive widespread coverage in this morning’s newspapers. The Daily Mail, Independent and Independent i report a narrow victory for current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although the joint Likud-Beitenu list which he heads claimed the largest number of seats, its share of the vote was not as large as expected. Instead, the centrist Yesh Atid party headed by former TV anchor Yair Lapid proved to be the big surprise of the poll, becoming the second largest party in the Knesset. The Times describes the result as a rebuke for Netanyahu, while the Guardian, Financial Times and Telegraph all highlight the much stronger than anticipated turnout for centrist parties. The Times and the online edition of the Financial Times include profiles of Yair Lapid, noting his cautious support for negotiations with the Palestinians. The Daily Express and the online edition of the Telegraph both focus on Netanyahu’s pledge to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions during his victory speech last night.

In other news, both the Daily Mail and the Telegraph online cover comments made by Foreign Secretary William Hague in the House of Commons yesterday, in which he warned that the prospect of a two-state solution is dwindling and also condemned Israeli settlement expansion.

The Financial Times and the online edition of the Guardian both preview today’s parliamentary election in Jordan. The poll comes after a series of cautious reforms were introduced by King Abdullah, who claims that they will allow the elected assembly to enjoy greater powers. However, the vote is being boycotted by the political arm of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, the online editions of the Times and Independent report on the evacuation of eighty Russian nationals from Syria. Russia has been the most significant international ally of President Assad during Syria’s violent internal conflict. However, Russia’s deputy foreign minister has played down the significance of the move. The Financial Times online though speculates that Moscow is preparing to enter into discussions with Syrian opposition groups.

The Israeli dailies cover the election results in-depth with all agreeing that the big success in yesterday’s poll was Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party, while Netanyahu’s Likud-Beitenu list suffered a significant disappointment. Haaretz calls the vote “dramatic,” while Makor Rishon refers to the results as a “major achievement” for Yesh Atid and Maariv declares Lapid the “big winner.”Although Netanyahu will most likely be tasked with forming the next government, both Yediot Ahronot and Maariv describe yesterday’s vote as a “blow” to his ambitions. There is also plenty of commentary on the election results. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, columnist Nahum Barnea describes Netanyahu this morning as a “tragic figure,” and says that there is a “disparity between what Netanyahu thinks of himself and what Israelis think of him.” Barnea says that yesterday’s result was rooted in the summer 2011 social protests. Meanwhile, Maariv’s Shalom Yerushalmi comments, “Netanyahu wanted to be a strong prime minister,” but the people “wanted him to walk on the crutches they gave him, and not to run independently in unclear directions.”

Israel Radio News reports that counting of votes from soldiers, hospital patients and prisoners will continue today. The same outlet also reports that Shas leader Eli Yishai is set to meet with Netanyahu tomorrow in order to begin coalition negotiations.