Netanyahu seeks ruling partnership with Labour

Israel’s hardline prime minister designate, Benjamin Netanyahu will meet the head of the dovish Labour Party today after failing to tempt centrist leader Tzipi Livni into a broad, moderate, coalition government.

Reluctant to rely for support on ultra-nationalists to his right, Mr Netanyahu has appealed to Ms Livni and Labour leader Ehud Barak to join him as partners in government – but both have said they would rather go into opposition.