Peres: Netanyahu will form new gov´t

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-21-2009 10:40

In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu of the hardline Likud Party has received formal approval from President Shimon Peres to put together the country's next government.

Israel's President Shimon Peres, right, sits with Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the President's residence in Jerusalem Friday, Feb.20, 2009.(AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

The decision has ended days of speculation, but also raises the specter of further paralysis of the Middle East peace process.

Peres made his announcement on Friday after holding meetings with Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni, the leader of the Kadima Party.

At an official appointing ceremony at Peres' residence, Netanyahu urged Livni of Kadima and Ehud Barak of the Labor Party to join his government.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud Party Leader, said, "I turn first of all to the leader of Kadima, Tzipi Livni, and the head of the Labor Party, Ehud Barak, and I call on them and say let's join hands. Let's work together to secure the future of the state of Israel."

It is not clear what price Netanyahu would be prepared to pay to incorporate them in his government.

Emerging from her meeting with Peres earlier the same day, Livni said she would not join a hard-line government and is prepared to sit in the opposition.

Tzipi Livni, Kadima Leader, said, "I will not be able to serve as a cover for a lack of direction. I want to lead Israel in a way I believe in."

Netanyahu has six weeks to put together a ruling coalition. But without Livni's Kadima, Netanyahu might have little choice but to forge a coalition with nationalist and religious parties opposed to peacemaking with the Palestinians.

This could put Israel on a collision course with the new US administration, which has vowed to make Middle East peace a priority.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei