Olmert urges Netanyahu to form gov´t quickly

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Eli Yishai, Israeli Interilr Minister, said, "I am turning to the leaders and members of Kadima to come and join the negotiations and join a broad government on the basis of a national camp and to stop the spins of agreeing and disagreeing."

Israel's Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu meets U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) (not seen) in  Jerusalem February 22, 2009.(Baz Ratner/Reuters)

A national unity coalition with centrist and left-wing partners could create a stable, middle-of-the-road government. And it could ease the pressure from fringe parties that has plagued previous Israeli governments.

But Livni has said she will enter the government only if Netanyahu agrees to a "rotation" arrangement whereby each would serve as prime minister for half of the government's four-year term.

Netanyahu rejects that condition.

If Livni refuses to join the coalition, Netanyahu may have no alternative but to forge an alliance with far-right and ultra-religious parties. This could tie his hands in making peace with the Palestinians.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei