Shaul Mofaz has defeated Tzipi Livni in the primaries of Kadima to become the new leader of Israel's largest party, local media reported Tuesday, citing preliminary results.

With 90 percent of votes counted, Mofaz leads with 63 percent in Kadima primaries while current leader Livni has 37 percent, the Ha'aretz daily reported.

Mofaz is set to become Kadima's fourth chairman after Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert and Livni, said the report.

Kadima, an Israeli opposition party and also the largest party in the unicameral parliament Knesset, has 95,000 registered members, but only 45 percent of the members cast their votes until the ballots closed at 10 p.m..