Israeli President Reuben Rivlin will meet with leaders of political parties on Tuesday, a day before the expiry of a deadline for the leader of a blue-white party, Benny Gantz, to form an Israeli government.
The Israeli president's office said he would meet Education Minister and right-wing Jewish Home Party leader Rafi Peretz, then left-wing Meretz leader Nitzan Horovich, followed by a meeting with Likud party negotiators headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Likud leader and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman for the second time this week.
The two-party statement said the meeting was positive and constructive and would continue their efforts to form a unity government.
Security of Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday night against forming a minority government backed by Arab parties as a threat to Israel's security, which Gantz rejected, demanding that Netanyahu back down on his incitement.
But Lieberman said he would continue his efforts to persuade Netanyahu and Gantz to form a unity government with their parties.
Lieberman did not close the door to join a minority government led by Gantz, but kept his final decision on this possibility until Wednesday afternoon.
If Gantz is unable to form a government on Wednesday, the Israeli Knesset will have 21 days to nominate a member of the Knesset capable of forming a government.
But if the Knesset fails to do so, new elections will be called, the third after the first in April and the second in September.