Howard drowns Down Under

Kevin Rudd	John Howard

Sydney, Saturday (AFP) - Centre-left leader Kevin Rudd stormed to victory in Australia's election today, ending conservative Prime Minister John Howard's 11-year rule with pledges to change course on climate change and the Iraq war.

Howard, US President George W. Bush's closest ally in the Iraq war, conceded defeat in Sydney and admitted it was "very likely" that he also faced the rare humiliation of losing his own electoral seat.

"A few minutes ago I telephoned Mr Rudd and I congratulated him and the Australian Labor Party on a very emphatic victory," Howard told emotional supporters in a concession speech at a Sydney hotel.