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| Israel rivals vie to head cabinet | Israel rivals vie to head cabinet |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Leaders of the two main Israeli parties are seeking coalition partners to form a government after neither emerged the clear winner in early elections. | Leaders of the two main Israeli parties are seeking coalition partners to form a government after neither emerged the clear winner in early elections. |
| The governing centrist Kadima won 28 seats and the right-wing Likud opposition won 27 - both well short of the 61 needed to form a government. | The governing centrist Kadima won 28 seats and the right-wing Likud opposition won 27 - both well short of the 61 needed to form a government. |
| The ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu came third with 15 seats. | The ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu came third with 15 seats. |
| Israel's president is expected to begin consultations next week about which party to ask to form a government. | Israel's president is expected to begin consultations next week about which party to ask to form a government. |
| The election results - if confirmed - push the Labour party led by Defence Minister Ehud Barak into an unprecedented fourth place. | The election results - if confirmed - push the Labour party led by Defence Minister Ehud Barak into an unprecedented fourth place. |
| Coalition bids | Coalition bids |
| Speaking at a victory rally, Kadima's Tzipi Livni told supporters she was ready to lead the country. | Speaking at a victory rally, Kadima's Tzipi Livni told supporters she was ready to lead the country. |
| However, Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu said that with God's help, he would lead the next government. | However, Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu said that with God's help, he would lead the next government. |
| The country's largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, ran the headline "Political stalemate" alongside photographs of both leaders. | The country's largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, ran the headline "Political stalemate" alongside photographs of both leaders. |
| name="goback"> ELECTION RESULTS Kadima: 28 seatsLikud: 27 seatsYisrael Beiteinu: 15Labour: 13Shas: 11United Torah Judaism: 5 class="" href="#map"> See results in full Source: Yedioth Ahronoth Horse-trading begins Highs and lows of election dramaIn pictures: Outcome of vote Analysts say that gains by right-wing parties could give Mr Netanyahu a better chance of forming a coalition. | |
| On the basis of the exit polls, Likud and various nationalist parties control 65 of 120 seats in the Knesset. | On the basis of the exit polls, Likud and various nationalist parties control 65 of 120 seats in the Knesset. |
| Israeli media reports say Mr Netanyahu is due to meet Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and the head of Shas, Eli Yishay, on Wednesday. | Israeli media reports say Mr Netanyahu is due to meet Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and the head of Shas, Eli Yishay, on Wednesday. |
| Mr Lieberman said his party wanted a right-wing government, but added "we do not rule out anyone". | Mr Lieberman said his party wanted a right-wing government, but added "we do not rule out anyone". |
| It is thought that coalition negotiations could take weeks. | It is thought that coalition negotiations could take weeks. |
| Likud had held a solid lead in opinion polls prior to the election, but Kadima closed the gap in the final days. | Likud had held a solid lead in opinion polls prior to the election, but Kadima closed the gap in the final days. |
| However several smaller parties, whose support Ms Livni would need, are opposed to some of her policies, especially her pledge to exchange land for peace with the Palestinians. | However several smaller parties, whose support Ms Livni would need, are opposed to some of her policies, especially her pledge to exchange land for peace with the Palestinians. |
| Final results are expected within days. | Final results are expected within days. |
| Peace 'paralysed' | Peace 'paralysed' |
| BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the closeness of the forecast result is in many ways the worst outcome for Israeli democracy, as it sets the scene for days and probably weeks of fractious political horse-trading. | BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the closeness of the forecast result is in many ways the worst outcome for Israeli democracy, as it sets the scene for days and probably weeks of fractious political horse-trading. |
| Once final results are in, President Shimon Peres will consult party leaders to determine who among them stands the best chance of forming a coalition government, but he does not have to nominate the leader of the largest party. | Once final results are in, President Shimon Peres will consult party leaders to determine who among them stands the best chance of forming a coalition government, but he does not have to nominate the leader of the largest party. |
| Supporters of Kadima celebrated when the exit polls were released | Supporters of Kadima celebrated when the exit polls were released |
| Whoever is chosen then has up to 42 days to form a coalition. If the attempt fails, Mr Peres can ask another leader to assume the task. | Whoever is chosen then has up to 42 days to form a coalition. If the attempt fails, Mr Peres can ask another leader to assume the task. |
| The election has been dominated by security issues following Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. | The election has been dominated by security issues following Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. |
| Although its rival in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority, has not expressed preference for any candidate, senior negotiator Saeb Erakat expressed dismay right-wing parties that oppose the traditional land-for-peace formula had performed so well. | Although its rival in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority, has not expressed preference for any candidate, senior negotiator Saeb Erakat expressed dismay right-wing parties that oppose the traditional land-for-peace formula had performed so well. |
| "It is obvious the Israelis have voted to paralyse the peace process," he said. | "It is obvious the Israelis have voted to paralyse the peace process," he said. |
| Elections were called early after Ms Livni failed to form a new government following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down last year amid a corruption probe against him. | Elections were called early after Ms Livni failed to form a new government following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down last year amid a corruption probe against him. |
| Mr Olmert will stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. | Mr Olmert will stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. |
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