Lieberman: Israel on track for third elections

JERUSALEM

Israel is on track for an unprecedented third elections in 12 months, right-wing Yisrael Beytenu leader, Avigdor Lieberman, said Wednesday.

Lieberman blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz for failing to establish a unity government at a new conference.

Gantz has until Wednesday midnight to put together a coalition before a mandate is returned to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. But without Lieberman that appears virtually impossible for Gantz to do so.

Lieberman added that he would not join any government supported by Arab parties whether directly or indirectly.

Lieberman accused Netanyahu and Gantz of failing to form a unity government, asserting that their differences are “personally derived.”

In case Gantz fails to form a government, the Knesset would have 21 days to find a person who could form a government with support of 61 Knesset members.

This year has witnessed two rounds of Israeli parliamentary elections held in April and September, respectively, where the two biggest parties, Likud and Blue and White, failed to form a coalition government.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara