Israel's presidents tasks Gantz with forming government

JERUSALEM

Israel's president on Wednesday tasked ex-military chief Benny Gantz with forming a coalition government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to do so.

Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, has 28 days to form a government.

If he fails, the country will hold a third round of elections.

Netanyahu was unable to form a government following inconclusive elections last month as he remains embroiled in several corruption cases.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut