International desk: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appealed for unity after surviving a challenge to his leadership from a senior government colleague.
Mr Turnbull had called the surprise vote himself in a bid to resolve speculation that his leadership was under threat.
In a party room ballot in Canberra on Tuesday, he defeated Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.
The prime minister won the vote 48-35, Liberal Party MPs said.
Following the result, he told colleagues: “It's really important that we put our differences behind us and get on with the job of looking after Australians.”
Why was there a challenge?
Speculation over Mr Turnbull's future as party leader had escalated in the past few days.
He faced a revolt from conservative MPs over a key climate change policy. That led to him abandoning the plans on Monday in an attempt to blunt conflict within his government.
The PM has also been under long-term pressure due to a series of bad polls and a by-election loss in Queensland.
Polling has suggested the government will suffer a heavy loss in the next general election, which will be held before May next year.
So what happened on Tuesday?
In a bid to clear the air, Mr Turnbull called for a snap vote on the leadership in a party meeting.
Mr Dutton, a leading figure from the party's conservative wing, was nominated as challenger, confirming media reports that he had been gathering support.
