Israeli president asks Netanyahu to form government

JERUSALEM

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday asked Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new Cabinet in the wake of the failed unity talks with his rival Benny Gantz.

Rivlin's remarks came in a joint news conference with Netanyahu aired by Israeli TV.

The move came after the talks between Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White coalition, failed to form a national unity government.

According to election final results, the Blue and White coalition won 33 seats in the Knesset, ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party with 32 seats after the last week’s polls.

The Knesset election was the second this year after Netanyahu failed to form a government after the April polls.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat