Israeli opposition leaders say they are close to forming a new government that would end Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year stretch as prime minister.
The head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid, has until midnight (21:00 GMT) to form a coalition.
However, he has yet to reach a final agreement with Naftali Bennett’s right-wing nationalist Yamina party.
Mr Bennett is expected to become the prime minister ahead of Mr Lapid under a rotation arrangement.
Mr Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party have been appealing to any wavering right-wing politicians not to join the coalition, knowing that a new government would still face a vote of confidence in parliament before it could be sworn in.
If it fails to win the support of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, there is a risk of the country having to go to elections for the fifth time in two years.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
