This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7901486.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Netanyahu to form Israel cabinet Netanyahu to form Israel cabinet
(20 minutes later)
Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-of-centre Likud party, will be asked to form Israel's next government.Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-of-centre Likud party, will be asked to form Israel's next government.
President Shimon Peres had been trying to persuade Israel's main parties to form a power-sharing government.President Shimon Peres had been trying to persuade Israel's main parties to form a power-sharing government.
But Tzipi Livni, leader of the centrist Kadima, suggested she would rather be in opposition than join a government led by Mr Netanyahu.But Tzipi Livni, leader of the centrist Kadima, suggested she would rather be in opposition than join a government led by Mr Netanyahu.
The Likud leader has the support of religious and right-wing parties in the Israeli parliament.The Likud leader has the support of religious and right-wing parties in the Israeli parliament.
Kadima narrowly defeated Likud in the election held on 10 February, but Likud's wider backing put them in a stronger position to form a new government.Kadima narrowly defeated Likud in the election held on 10 February, but Likud's wider backing put them in a stronger position to form a new government.
Mr Netanyahu's position was bolstered on Thursday when the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, which came third in the election, said it wanted him to be prime minister. Mr Peres is expected to hold a news conference shortly officially confirming his invitation to Mr Netanyahu.
The Likud leader will then have six weeks to put together a coalition, and could yet try to persuade Ms Livni to join him.
'Pawn' gibe
Mr Peres has been in talks with leaders from all political parties, and correspondents say he had been trying to garner support for a power-sharing government involving both Mr Netanyahu and Ms Livni.Mr Peres has been in talks with leaders from all political parties, and correspondents say he had been trying to garner support for a power-sharing government involving both Mr Netanyahu and Ms Livni.
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
But minutes before the news came out that the Likud leader would be asked to form a government, Ms Livni released a statement saying what was being proposed was a government "without political vision, a government with no values".But minutes before the news came out that the Likud leader would be asked to form a government, Ms Livni released a statement saying what was being proposed was a government "without political vision, a government with no values".
"I will not be a pawn in a government that would be against our ideals," she said."I will not be a pawn in a government that would be against our ideals," she said.
Mr Peres is due to officially ask Mr Netanyahu to form a government shortly. One of the main points of contention between the two parties is how to handle the Palestinian Territories.
He will then have six weeks to sew together a coalition, and could yet try to persuade Ms Livni to join him. Ms Livni favours more talks and the creation of a separate state for the Palestinians.
Mr Netanyahu says he does not want Israel to rule the Palestinians, but says they should not be allowed things he considers a threat to Israeli security, such as an army, control of airspace or the Jordan Valley.
Mr Netanyahu's position was bolstered on Thursday when the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, which favours tightening the Israeli blockade on Gaza, said it wanted him to be prime minister.
Return