Nelson elected Australian Liberal leader

CANBERRA - Former Defence Minister Brendan Nelson was elected leader of Australia's main opposition party Thursday, a senior lawmaker said.

Nelson defeated rival lawmaker Malcolm Turnbull by 45 votes to 42, the former treasurer and deputy Liberal party leader Peter Costello told reporters in Canberra.

The narrow vote reflects deep divisions within party ranks after Saturday's election loss, in which outgoing Prime Minister John Howard's conservative coalition government was ousted after 11 years in power.

Former Education Minister Julie Bishop was appointed deputy Liberal party leader, Costello said.

AP