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Netanyahu receives key PM support Netanyahu PM bid wins key support
(about 2 hours later)
Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel's right-of-centre Likud party, has won the backing of a leading far-right party for his bid to become PM. Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel's right-wing Likud party, has won the backing of a leading far-right party for his bid to become PM.
Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, made substantial gains in the recent general election.Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, made substantial gains in the recent general election.
Mr Lieberman said he wanted to see a "wide" coalition government taking in the three largest parties.Mr Lieberman said he wanted to see a "wide" coalition government taking in the three largest parties.
This makes it very likely that Mr Netanyahu will be asked by President Shimon Peres to form a government.This makes it very likely that Mr Netanyahu will be asked by President Shimon Peres to form a government.
Likud can in theory now count on the support of 65 of the Israeli parliament's 120 members.Likud can in theory now count on the support of 65 of the Israeli parliament's 120 members.
Mr Peres began meeting the parties on Wednesday as part of consultations on who to invite to attempt to form the next Israeli government.Mr Peres began meeting the parties on Wednesday as part of consultations on who to invite to attempt to form the next Israeli government.
ELECTION RESULTS Kadima: 28 seatsLikud: 27 seatsYisrael Beiteinu: 15Labour: 13Shas: 11United Torah Judaism: 5 See results in fullHorse-trading begins Highs and lows of election dramaIn pictures: Outcome of vote ELECTION RESULTS Kadima: 28 seatsLikud: 27 seatsYisrael Beiteinu: 15Labour: 13Shas: 11United Torah Judaism: 5 See results in fullHorse-trading begins Highs and lows of election dramaIn pictures: Outcome of vote
Tzipi Livni of the centrist Kadima party won 28 parliamentary seats to 27 seats for Mr Netanyahu's Likud party.Tzipi Livni of the centrist Kadima party won 28 parliamentary seats to 27 seats for Mr Netanyahu's Likud party.
But nationalist and religious parties, natural allies of Likud, also did well in the election.But nationalist and religious parties, natural allies of Likud, also did well in the election.
Mr Netanyahu will have six weeks to sow up a coalition, once the invitation to do so comes from the president. If Mr Netanyahu is invited to form a government it will be a break with the usual practice, where the leader of the party with the most seats is tasked with building a coalition, and he will have six weeks to sow up a coalition.
'Wide' government'Wide' government
Israel Army radio reported Mr Lieberman telling Mr Peres that he supported the Likud leader as prime minister but "only as part of a wider government".Israel Army radio reported Mr Lieberman telling Mr Peres that he supported the Likud leader as prime minister but "only as part of a wider government".
"We are not talking of a government with a restricted majority. To govern the country, we need a government with the three largest parties - Likud, Kadima and Yisrael Beiteinu."We are not talking of a government with a restricted majority. To govern the country, we need a government with the three largest parties - Likud, Kadima and Yisrael Beiteinu.
"Netanyahu will be prime minister, but it will be a Bibi-Livni government," said Lieberman. "Netanyahu will be prime minister, but it will be a Bibi-Livni government," said Mr Lieberman, using Mr Netanyahu's widely-used nickname.
Kadima had proposed a power-sharing deal with Likud similar to the one in 1984 which saw the leaders of Likud and Labour each hold the post of prime minister for two years. Ms Livni said she had "no intention of changing even a fraction of Kadima's path" and would not "serve as a fig leaf for a government of paralysis".
Mr Lieberman and Mr Netanyahu now appear to have rejected this. Kadima campaigned on election pledges to continue peace talks with the Palestinians, while Mr Netanyahu stands further to the right and has opposed the negotiations.
Party figures have in recent days suggested Ms Livni would reject sitting in a Likud-led unity coalition.
Kadima proposed a power-sharing deal with Likud similar to the one in 1984 which saw the leaders of Likud and Labour each hold the post of prime minister for two years.
Failing that, it said it would choose to lead the opposition.
Mr Lieberman did not make clear what he would do if Kadima refused to join a unity government.
In the Israeli political system, the task of trying to form a government after an election does not necessarily go to the party that won the most seats in the parliament, but to the party most likely to be able to form a majority coalition.In the Israeli political system, the task of trying to form a government after an election does not necessarily go to the party that won the most seats in the parliament, but to the party most likely to be able to form a majority coalition.
Mr Peres' spokesman said he is expected to announce his decision on Sunday or Monday.Mr Peres' spokesman said he is expected to announce his decision on Sunday or Monday.
The 10 February election was called after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert handed in his resignation in September after being questioned by police over a series of corruption scandals. He has denied any wrongdoing.The 10 February election was called after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert handed in his resignation in September after being questioned by police over a series of corruption scandals. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Olmert has stayed on as acting premier.Mr Olmert has stayed on as acting premier.
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