Ireland: Brian Cowen wins vote on his leadership

Mr Cowen saw off a challenge from foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin and will head the party in the upcoming general election.

Voters in Ireland are expected to go to the polls in late March.

In a brief statement, a party official said: "The Fianna Fail parliamentary party has voted confidence in the leadership of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, TD."

Seventy-one TDs voted in a secret ballot after a near three-hour meeting in the party rooms in Leinster House, Dublin.

Mr Cowen had retained majority support of the Cabinet ahead of the vote. Before the vote, Mr Cowen said he was confident he would survive the motion and that good could come out of the process.

He said: "I think it's been a good exercise because it helps to bring clarity to the situation about which there has been some debate in the party, and I want to get it clarified and the party to move on and unite behind the decision, whatever it is. And I'll respect the decision."

Mr Cowen has led his party to its lowest level yet in opinion poll ratings.